Lappartient stands by Rwanda as pressure mounts to move UCI Road World Cycling Championships

IOC Presidential candidate David Lappartient shows his support for Rwanda, while DOSB claim that hosting the Olympic Games can help fix Germany

All heads of world governing bodies talk enthusiastically about taking their top events to Africa but few actually ever follow through with their initial plans. That makes International Cycling Union President David Lappartient stand out after he championed Rwanda’s bid to host this year’s Road World Cycling Championships, although he may be regretting it now.

The area is in turmoil and Rwanda is facing international criticism after allegedly supporting the M23 rebel group in the bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations Security Council last Friday unanimously adopted a resolution from Lappartient's own country France which called for Rwanda to immediately withdraw all troops from Congolese territory “without preconditions” and to return to diplomatic talks to achieve a lasting peaceful resolution.

The M23 has captured the two largest cities in eastern Congo, stoking fears of a wider war. Rwanda denies allegations from Congo and the UN that it supports the M23 with arms and troops. It claims it is defending itself against Hutu militias which it accuses of fighting alongside the Congolese military.