Niyonshuti in London for the cycling film premiere

Adrien Niyonshuti arrived in London on Monday ahead of the screening of the Rising From Ashes scheduled to be held tomorrow at Odeon Leicester Square. The award-winning documentary Rising from Ashes is narrated by fellow Hollywood legend Forest Whitaker who tells the story of a group of Rwandan genocide survivors who overcame adversity and poverty to set up Team Rwanda, the country’s national cycling squad.A member of the team Niyonshuti took part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.With the help of Jock Boyer, the first American to ride the Tour de France and a man with his own dark past to overcome, Niyonshuti and his colleagues - who, in other circumstances, might have been mortal enemies - come together to forge a bright future through cycling.This heart-wrenching yet exceptionally uplifting and inspiring documentary is a shining example of how sport can empower, heal and reconcile.“Rwanda is a country that has undergone catastrophe during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.” Niyonshuti said. “It is changing its future, and I believe that when people see what we are doing, they’ll change their minds from what they thought of Rwanda.”Also lending their support on the night will be Olympic track cycling gold medallist Philip Hindes MBE, UCI president Pat McQuaid, and four-times Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington.All proceeds from the event will go to support both Team Rwanda and the Aegis Trust.Niyonshuti has been forced to take a long break from racing due to deep vein thrombosisHe has cancelled all immediate plans to compete, and will be out of racing action for many months.

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Niyonshuti in London for the cycling film premiere