The city of Kinshasa is animated by the effervescence of the Francophone Games. Among the competitions that took place, the women’s cycling race took place on Sunday July 30, 2023 and saw the victory of Moroccan Hariri Salma.
The cyclists covered a 63 km circuit, starting at the People’s Palace and going through the Boulevard du 30 juin to finish again at the People’s Palace. Moroccan athletes dominated the race by occupying the first four places.
The representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Déborah Okiti Hélène, was classified in sixth position with a delay of about 14 minutes compared to the champion.
It is important to emphasize that the DRC had lined up five athletes for this competition, thus demonstrating its desire to actively participate in these Games of La Francophonie.
This large-scale sporting event arouses the enthusiasm of the inhabitants of Kinshasa and contributes to energizing the city. The Games of La Francophonie also offer a unique opportunity to highlight the practice of women’s cycling and to promote the sporting talents of the participating countries.
Hariri Salma’s victory and the performance of Moroccan athletes demonstrate the rigor and determination of women in the field of sport, thus encouraging other women to embark on this discipline.
The Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa are an opportunity for French-speaking athletes to meet, discuss and promote the values of the Francophonie through sport. This event helps to strengthen ties between the participating countries and to promote the cultural and linguistic diversity that characterizes the Francophonie.
Beyond the sporting competition, the Games of La Francophonie also help to highlight the social, economic and political issues facing French-speaking countries. Thus, the participation of the DRC as host country demonstrates its desire to share its culture, its heritage and its challenges with other French-speaking countries.
In conclusion, the women’s cycling race during the Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa was a highlight of sports competition. Hariri Salma’s victory and the performance of Moroccan athletes showcased the talent and determination of women in the world of cycling. These Games of La Francophonie are an opportunity to celebrate Francophone diversity and strengthen ties between participating countries