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Nigerian Cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye has opened up about getting permission to train on the tracks in Nigeria.
Ese participated in the women's individual sprint qualification round for the Olympics, ending with a time of 11.652 for the 200-meter flying lap.
The cyclist raced on a borrowed bicycle from the Germans so she could participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite not getting the result she would have wanted, she wished that her accomplishment would encourage her nation to make a small investment in track cycling.
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11:04 - 09.08.2024
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14:34 - 08.08.2024
Ese Ukpeseraye: Nigeria borrows bicycle from Germany for Paris 2024 Olympics
The German team had mercy on Nigeria's Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye by borrowing her a bicycle so she could participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ese speaks on Olympic
Ese Ukpeseraye spoke on the availability of the tracks in Nigeria, insisting they are not allowed to train on them.
She claimed that one of the most expensive sports venues in the world is located in Nigeria, which has a beautiful wooden velodrome.
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But since it's rented out for religious services and other activities for the majority of the year, bikers are not permitted to train there.
Ukpeseraye told Cyclingnews, "We have a very beautiful track. Our track is the best in Africa, but we don't use it. They don't give us the permission."
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Ese went on to relive how, less than a week before the Paris Olympics began, Nigeria's inclusion was announced, and the squad hadn't brought any track bikes.
Less than two weeks before the opening of the Paris Olympics, Nigeria's inclusion was announced, and the team had forgotten to bring any track bikes.
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The German team had to support Ukpeseraye's team during the 2022 UCI Track World Championships.
Ukpeseraye continued, "The bike was fantastic. There are times when they give you a new bike to race, and you will find it difficult because you have not been training with it and are not used to it.
“But for me, when they gave me the bike, the first day I used the bike, it was like I had been using it. I was very comfortable on it.
“I really appreciate them a lot, because they noticed that I am in need and they were able to assist me."
The cyclist from Nigeria is hoping that her little experience will persuade the Nigerian Federation to lend her support for the upcoming tournament.
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