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Yesterday, on October 21, 2023, 40 young people aged between 10 and 15 years old, affiliated with Gasore Serge Foundation, gathered at the Field of Dreams Cycling Centre to learn basic skills and try out to the Cycling Mountain Bike.

This initiative, “Cycling Mountain Bike For Young People”, was organized by the Rwanda National Olympic and Sorts Committee (RNOSC) in collaboration with the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) and sponsored by the Embassy of France in Rwanda.

The primary aim of the initiative was to promote the Olympic sport of “Cycling Mountain Bike” among Rwandan youth, instilling in them the Olympic Values, while also raising awareness about the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Gasore Serge Foundation received support for the maintenance of 20 bikes to increase the number of children who can access mountain biking and school equipment. Additionally, every participating child was awarded a gold medal, both as a motivation and a message that they should always strive for excellence in their future.

During her closing remarks, the RNOSC Acting President Alice UMULINGA extended her gratitude to the Embassy of France in Rwanda for the financial support, as well as other stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Sports, Bugesera district, Rwanda Cycling Federation, and Gasore Serge Foundation, for their contributions in making the event a success.

“We organized this initiative to boost the popularity of mountain biking in Rwanda, beginning with young people. Currently, we only have two Rwandan Olympians in Cycling Mountain Bike, and we aspire to see more athletes represent Rwanda in this Olympic sport. Additionally, we use these kind of platforms to promote the Olympic Values among Rwandan youth, ensuring that we are nurturing well-rounded athletes,” she added.

Addressing participants, the Mayor of Bugesera District Richard Mutabazi, said: “We are delighted to host such an initiative in our district, and we hope that this infrastructure (Field of Dreams Pump Track) will promote mountain biking and nurture talents who will represent Rwanda effectively on the international stage, including at the Olympic Games.”

The event was graced by the presence of the RNOSC Acting President Alice UMULINGA, Mayor of Bugesera District Richard MUTABAZI, representative of Ministry of Sports Fabrice UWAYO and representative of the Embassy of France in Rwanda Florent Massat.

So far, two Olympians have represented Rwanda in Cycling Mountain Bike at the Olympics: Adrien NIYONSHUTI in London 2012 and Rio 2016, and Nathan BYUKUSENGE in Rio 2016.

Cycling Mountain Bike made its debut as an Olympic discipline at the Atlanta Games in 1996, with a cross-country event for men and women.

For more pictures, click here.