2024 Olympics: Why Nigerian cyclist, Ese, used borrowed bike — Sports minister

The Minister of Sport has addressed the recent controversy surrounding Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye and the absence of the necessary equipment for her Olympic events, following a social media post by Ukpeseraye that sparked widespread concern.

Speaking on the matter, the Minister explained, “Team Nigeria initially qualified for a single road race event in cycling, and we ensured that our athletes were fully equipped and prepared for this competition.

However, just two weeks before the Olympics, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) reallocated additional slots to Nigeria, including the Keirin and individual sprint events. This reallocation was unexpected and came after another country’s disqualification, leaving Nigeria as the next eligible nation.”

The Minister further clarified the challenge posed by this last-minute opportunity, stating, “The newly assigned track events required specialized equipment—track bikes specifically approved for Olympic competition. Unfortunately, acquiring such equipment is not an overnight process. It typically takes several months to order, produce, and deliver these bikes.