Austria's cycling association remains determined despite criticism of World Cup in Rwanda!

Austria's cycling association remains determined despite criticism of World Cup in Rwanda!

The Austrian cycling association is on the controversial World Cup in Rwanda, which is to take place from September 21 to 28, 2025. Despite international concerns about the political situation in the country and allegations of the so -called sports washing, the association plans to compete with a team as full as possible. Secretary General Florian König emphasized that the participation will only take place in consultation with the athletes. However, the organization of this first World Cup in Africa is a significant financial challenge, whereby per person is expected to cost around 3,000 euros for accommodation and flight, as reported www.laola1.at.

Political tensions in Rwanda lead to pressure on the Radsport World Association UCI. The EU Parliament has asked to cancel the World Cup if Rwanda does not change its course. However, the association has made it clear that "no plan B" for the implementation of the event is not under the influence of the cancellation of other strong cycling nations that decide against participation, such as Denmark and the Netherlands. Matthias Schnapka, head of the bike team Bike Aid, advocates a differentiated view of the situation and demands that not only to illuminate the negative aspects, but also the positive developments that cycling in Africa can bring with it, as reported.

European tours and their responsibility

The current situation stirs up discussions about the role of international sport from a political aspects. Mattias Schnapka pointed out that all countries have their challenges and that sport can act as a bridge between cultures. The cancellation of the World Cup would not only have direct consequences for the athletes and organizers, but could also damage cycling in Africa in the long term, the warning of Kimberly Coats, the founder of the Africa Rising team. A loss of this important platform could take decades to recover and continue to cement the negative narrative about Africa, according to Coats.