How cycling is providing hope to Rwanda's female riders

Olivia Maniragena has been racing through life, dealing with a lot at a young age.

Orphaned at 14 and responsible for raising three siblings, she also became a mother of two before reaching 20.

Now 21, the Rwandan has found stability through cycling and is gearing up for the UCI Road World Championships in her homeland next month, where she is hoping to compete in the inaugural women's Under-23 race.

For Maniragena, life on two wheels has always meant a level of freedom.

She first learned how to ride a bike at the age of seven, and over the years cycling became more than just a skill. It became her means of survival.

"Cycling helped me take care of my family. Fetching water, collecting firewood, running errands and as a mode of transport," Maniragena tells BBC Sport Africa when discussing her early life.

"It brings me happiness. When I ride, it takes away my anxiety and my depression."

But her freedom was short-lived.

Following the death of her mother in 2013 and her father five years later, she struggled to support herself despite taking on various jobs and fell pregnant twice in her teens.

"I believed the father of my children would be my support system, but after three years, just after our second baby, he left," she recalls.

"I was left to care for my three siblings and my two children alone. Life was hard."

Finding purpose on two wheels

Maniragena's journey into elite cycling began when she joined Bikes for Future, an all-female team backed by humanitarian group Plan International and Learn Work Develop (LWD), a non-profit organisation implementing the scheme

The initiative seeks to challenge gender stereotypes and empower young Rwandan women through sport.

"What makes Olivia unique is her determination," says her coach Niyonsaba Elidad.

"She knows what she wants. Every time we train, she gives it her all."

Women's cycling in Rwanda is still in its infancy and often marginalised in a sport long viewed as the domain of men.

"In the past, if a girl was seen riding a bike, people would ridicule her. They would say, 'You are not a boy, why are you cycling?'" explains Mbabazi Fillette, programs and partnership manager at LWD.

"If they saw a young girl getting a bike and riding it, it would be an abomination.

"We're proving that girls can not only ride, but also compete at the highest level."

At the Bugesera Cycling Centre, Maniragena has gained more than racing skills. She has also mastered bike mechanics.

"I can dismantle and reassemble a bike in five minutes," she says. "It's something I truly value. It brought back the hope I had lost in my life."

While other members of the 30-strong team have specialised in things like welding, tailoring and communications, Maniragena's trade has become her financial lifeline.

"What keeps me going is knowing I can earn an income.

"On a good day in the bike shop, I make about $7. When I race, I can earn even more."

But financial barriers continue to pose a significant challenge.

A decent racing bike costs between 60,000 and 150,000 Rwandan francs (approximately $42 to $104) - an unattainable amount for many from low-income backgrounds.

Despite these obstacles, the passion for cycling among Rwanda's youth continues to grow.

Growth in women's cycling

In just 15 months Maniragena has transformed from a novice rider to a local champion, winning races in the Rwanda Youth Racing Cup.

Her rapid rise has sparked hopes that she could one day stand on the podium in national colours.

"I see Olivia as a future champion," her coach Elidad predicts with pride.

"She has the talent to compete at an elite level. She just needs the right opportunities and support."

If Maniragena and her team-mates at the Road World Championships miss out on the start list for the U23 race, they will instead take part in a social race linked to the event.

"I see growth. I can't wait to see more women competing," says Fillette with excitement.

"This is a huge opportunity for my country."

Sportswashing claims

As Rwanda prepares to act as host, international tensions have eased on its border following a declaration of principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group.

The deal, signed in Qatar last month, aims to stop hostilities in eastern Congo.

The conflict has strained relations between the DRC and Rwanda, with the latter denying accusations, including from the United Nations, that it backs M23.

In hosting the Road World Championships, alongside other major events, some critics have accused Rwanda of 'sportswashing' - the process of investing in sport to enhance a nation's global image.

The UCI has vehemently denied such claims when asked about its decision to choose Rwanda, pointing to the country's strong cycling tradition, with the gruelling Tour du Rwanda held annually since 1988.

Those running the Bikes for Future project, which was launched to capitalise on Rwanda's role as the first African nation to host the Road World Championships, agree there are greater benefits.

"There's now a stronger belief that bicycles can change lives," says Solomon Tesfamariam, Plan International's director for Rwanda.

"Our focus is to engage and support more girls, and cycling is becoming increasingly popular among women."

For Maniragena and her team-mates, it has certainly created fresh ambitions.

"We want to be champions," she says.

"One day, we want to race among the world's best."

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