This April 14, 2022, the International Cycling Union (UCI) is blowing out 122 candles, and is one of the oldest federations attached to the International Olympic Committee. On the occasion of this birthday, José Manuel Peláez, head of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) published a congratulatory message that we reproduce verbatim due to its importance.
THE INTERNATIONAL CYCLING UNION TURNS 122 YEARS: A LOT OF HISTORY TO TELL.-
Birthdays are always reasons for celebration, happiness and joy. And this April 14 is no exception for those of us who see the International Cycling Union (UCI) reach 122 years committed to its history and its future, but above all to its athletes, coaches, mechanics, managers, federations and all the followers. of cycling in the world.
That primary creation in 1900 with the federations of Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France and the United States (the only one from America in that quintet) has grown to levels of 194 national federations and five Olympic disciplines, as well as the practice of other modalities, adjusted to contemporary changes and with a more direct look at youth.
The UCI has been perhaps one of the most dynamic sports entities in more than a century of existence. I have witnessed long and fruitful discussions in terms of a more participatory cycling and impact on the five continents. The 2022 Agenda, presented by our current president, David Lappartient, today guides the work in the continental confederations.
In more than 40 years linked to the UCI, as head of the Cuban Cycling Federation and then at the head of the Pan American Cycling Confederation, I only have days, weeks and months of hard sacrifice and brave decisions in order to build the cycling of tomorrow. every day.
After two years of the pandemic, little by little we have recovered the full vitality of the disciplines and new names are beginning to identify world cycling, some of them from our continent such as Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Nairo Quintana and Mariana Pajón, just to mention the most illustrious.
There would be a lot of history to tell, but the most concise way to celebrate a date like today lies in remaining faithful to one of its founding principles: “cycling is a great family. And we are!
!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ICU !!!!!!