Nigerians have taken to social media to express their outrage after Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye, an Olympic cyclist, disclosed that she borrowed a track bike from Team Germany to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
According to Ukpeseraye, the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) Road Championships gold medalist, she was not informed about her participation in the track cycling in advance, which led to the unavailability of a bike for the competition.
The 25-year-old took to social media to express her gratitude to Team Germany for the kind gesture after the race.
In a post on X, she said: "Due to the short notice of me competing in the Keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria, I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you."
Despite not qualifying to the next round, she became the first female Nigerian cyclist to compete in the event at the Olympic Games.
The incident has sparked varied reactions from angry Nigerians on social media, with many calling for an investigation into the incident after the Olympics.
Popular photojournalist @PoojaMedia in a tweet wrote: "The Minister must probe so many Federations after this Olympics if truly, funds were released for this."
An X user @BurbaLorin27064 said: "The minister also needs to be probe because the people who messed up are under him. Everyone must take responsibilities for their roles. Many remember to travel with entourage..."
@tsukool added, "The minister actually needs to step down."
@lekeyor queried, "Do we have minister?"
@iam_ikrechero wrote, "It was a short notice for ese to participate at the tracks, but the federation could have done better but making proper provisions though on a short notice"
@ChooqsX said: "The minister should resign!!! Which kind probe?"
@Biraphil added: "The probing should begin with the minister himself. He leads the ministry and should be the first to be sacked and then investigated."
#Paris2024@Paris2024
— Ese lovina Ukpeseraye (@Ese_Ukpeseraye) August 8, 2024
Due to the short notice of me competing at the keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks. In d spirit of sportsmanship the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle.
Thank you🙌🙌🙌 https://t.co/OZf8tPZ3gS pic.twitter.com/AyrtQqrCe7
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) are yet to respond to the incident.
