Niyonshuti gets strength from ‘pain and sadness’ of 1994 genocide

Rwanda Cycling Federation’s entire committee, the national cycling team (Team Rwanda) and representatives from all local cycling clubs will visit Gisozi Memorial Site on Friday for the first time together as a Rwanda’s cycling fraternity.At the memorial site, they will lay a wreath at mass graves where over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi were buried.The visit precedes the inaugural memorial cycling race slated for tomorrow and less than three months ahead of the Riding for Charity 2013 London-Paris ride, a joint benefit for Aegis and Team Rwanda. It also comes just weeks after the European Premier of “Rising from Ashes”.Rising from Ashes is an award-winning documentary narrated and produced by Hollywood legend Forest Whitaker. It tells the story of Team Rwanda and the triumph of its riders over poverty, adversity and the fall-out of the Genocide.Rwanda cycling federation’s president, Aimable Bayingana said in a statement, “All of these riders were directly affected by the genocide, so visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial is hugely personal for them.”“At the same time, the very presence of Team Rwanda is a sign of how far both survivors and a new generation have come in the past 19 years. As Rwandans we can take pride in their achievements, and inspiration for the future,” he added. Rwanda cycling team is a symbol of hope and success for young Rwandans. A cycling academy, Adrien Niyonshuti has been opened up in his hometown of Rwamagana by the local cycling governing body in his honour.The school was started to enable promising young cyclists to combine education and apprenticeship for future careers in the sport. Niyonshuti, who lost six of his brothers in the 1994 genocide, rode for Rwanda at the London 2012 Olympics. I am going to remember and honor my brothers and family I lost.” “The pain and sadness of their loss will always be with me. At the same time, I draw strength from the family I have found through sport; a family without ethnic divisions,” he said.After the visit to Gisozi, there will be the screening of ‘Rising from Ashes’ at Lemigo hotel at 7pm.

Sports

Niyonshuti gets strength from ‘pain and sadness’ of 1994 genocide