Nigerian cyclist borrows bicycle from German team at Olympics

In a display of sportsmanship, Nigerian cyclist, Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye, received crucial support from the German cycling team during the Paris Olympics.

Ukpeseraye, representing Team Nigeria, found herself in a difficult situation when she had no bicycle to race with in the keirin and sprint events due to the short notice of her participation.

Ukpeseraye made history as the first Nigerian cyclist to represent the country at the Olympic Games. She competed in the women’s road race on August 4 but did not register a score after failing to complete the event.

On Wednesday, the 25-year-old raced in the Keirin and Sprint cycling event, finishing sixth in the first round. Later in the day, she also failed to secure qualification.

Speaking on her experience at the race, she said she was called up to participate in the second event on “short notice.”

The cyclist said she had no bicycle to race with on the tracks”, and the German team came to her rescue.

“Due to the short notice, I had to compete at the Keirin & Sprint. I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks,” the tweet reads.

“In the spirit of sportsmanship, the German team came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle.”

Ukpeseraye is also scheduled to participate in one more event on Friday.