Olympics: Rwandan Cyclist Aims To Inspire Children

RIO DE JANEIRO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Augst,2016) - Adrien Niyonshuti is on a mission in Rio but his aim is far bigger than any dreams of personal glory. Niyonshuti wants to transform cycling in his home country, Rwanda. Four yeas ago in London he was Rwanda's flag bearer and became their first ever competitor in mountain biking. Since then he has concentrated on road cycling and will take part in Saturday's road race alongside some of the world's best, including Tour de France champion Chris Froome. "I'm in Brazil, it's amazing.

I'm very happy and looking forward to tomorrow," he told AFP on Friday.

"I hope everything will be alright." Niyonshuti, now 29, started cycling when he was 15 and immediately displayed some ability, finishing third in his first race. He went on to take part in the Tour of Rwanda and from there a professional career in Europe beckoned -- he now lives and trains in Italy. Having been his country's first participant in mountain biking and now road racing, he says he still has more goals to achieve before calling time on his career. "My ambition is I want to ride the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a Espana hopefully this year," he said.