African Arguments posted on 15 September 2024 a commentary titled "Eritrean Cycling: How a Colonial Legacy Became a National Passion" by Mohamed Kheir Omer, an African-Norwegian researcher based in Oslo.
Introduced by the Italians in the late 19th century, cycling has become a vital part of Eritrean culture. Eritrean Biniam Girmay became the first African cyclist to win the Green Jersey at the 2024 Tour de France. Eritrean success in cycling has occurred in spite of the fact that the government prioritizes military service over athletic development.
