http://summergames.ap.org/article/signs-africa-embracing-cycling-evident-rio-olympics
Signs of Africa embracing cycling evident at Rio Olympics
By Dave Skretta
— Aug. 5, 2016 2:28 PM EDT
(AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
There is more African flavor in the cycling program at the Rio
Olympics than ever before, perhaps a sign that the continent is
finally starting to latch onto the largely European sport.
Twelve riders from Africa will start the men's road race Saturday at
Copacabana Beach.
“It’s come so far just since the London Olympics,” said Namibia’s Dan
Craven, who also competed in the Summer Games four years ago. “We have
eight African nations here represented in the Olympic road race and
that’s so important for the development of African cycling.”
Along with Craven, there are three riders from Morocco, two each from
Algeria and South Africa, and lone riders from Eritrea, Tunisia,
Rwanda and Ethiopia.
Many of them have compelling stories, too.
Adrien Niyonshuti survived Rwanda’s genocide of 1994, which killed six
of his brothers. He was discovered by former American pro Jonathan
Boyer, whose development of a Rwanda national team formed the basis
for the documentary “Rising from the Ashes.”
Niyonshuti competed in mountain biking at the London Games but will be
on the road this weekend.
Tsabu Gebremaryam Grmay is the first professional rider from Ethiopia,
Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first black African to compete in the
Tour de France a year ago, and South Africa’s Louis Meintjes is a
former under-23 world silver medalist who was eighth in this year’s
Tour.
Craven happens to be the grandson of famed South African rugby player
and coach Danie Craven _ and also happens to be a riot on Twitter,
where he has nearly 10,000 followers thanks in part to his rocking
beard.
“African cycling is at the point where even some little changes can
have a big impact,” the younger Craven said. “The talent is there and
it’s starting to come out. Imagine if one of the African guys has a
great day (in Rio). People are realizing that African cycling is
growing.”
Indeed, some believe Africa is flush with untapped cycling talent _
they point to Kenya-born Tour de France winner Chris Froome of Britain
as evidence, not to mention the myriad of distance runners from a
variety of African countries who have proven their chops as endurance
athletes.
Unlike running, though, cycling takes equipment that is often hard to
obtain. Even rudimentary bikes are few and far between, though Boyer
and others have been developing programs to introduce more.
Then there is the terrain: The countryside is better-suited to
off-road riding than road cycling, where smooth stretches of tarmac
tend to be just as scarce as the bikes.
Of course, the scenery along those roads just might make up for it.
“Sometimes I see wildlife when I am training near home,” Craven said.
“Once I was tracking a heard of elephants on the bike. It’s a
wonderful place to ride. It’s a world away from the traditional
cycling world of Europe.”
Received on Sat Aug 06 2016 - 12:11:00 EDT