Ivorian cyclist Yasmine Diawara has completed an extraordinary 2,500-kilometre solo cycling journey across seven African countries, arriving in Dakar on Sunday ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The 36-year-old, popularly known as 'The Gal on a Bike', spent 44 days travelling from Côte d'Ivoire to Senegal, passing through Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia.
Her remarkable expedition was driven by two major objectives: promoting sustainable mobility and raising funds to provide bicycles for disadvantaged African girls.
Speaking to the Olympic Information Service (OIS) after reaching Dakar, Diawara described the achievement as an unbelievable moment.
“I'm here, and to me it's still unbelievable - it's a little bit crazy, but I'm happy,” she said.
Cycling to create opportunities for African girls
Diawara's initiative was inspired by children in her home country who face long journeys on foot to reach school.
She recalled meeting a girl who walked nine kilometres each way to attend classes, highlighting the additional challenges faced by girls who must also undertake household responsibilities.
Determined to make a difference, she founded WIRI, an organisation whose name stands for 'Where Innovation Rises', to raise funds for bicycles that can reduce travel times and help prevent school dropouts.
“I raise money to buy bicycles for young girls, to reduce their travel time and fight against school dropouts,” she explained.
A challenging 44-day expedition
The journey was far from easy. Diawara encountered torrential rain, difficult road conditions, complicated border crossings and a bout of malaria in Sierra Leone.
At one point, the illness forced her off her bicycle for three days, leaving her uncertain whether she could complete the expedition.
“I started crying because I didn't know if my body was up to it, but I said to myself, 'Come on girl, you can do this',” she recalled.
Despite the setbacks, she continued her journey, receiving remarkable hospitality from communities along the route, with local families offering her food and places to sleep.
A message to Africa's young generation
For Diawara, arriving in Dakar during the Youth Olympic Games was particularly meaningful because of the platform's ability to inspire young Africans.
She believes the continent's young population deserves better access to opportunities and that sustainable transport solutions can play an important role in achieving that goal.
Her journey also sends a powerful message about determination, environmental responsibility and the role of sport in addressing wider social challenges.
As Dakar 2026 celebrates emerging sporting talent, Diawara's achievement demonstrates that the Olympic spirit can extend beyond competition and medals, inspiring initiatives that create lasting change in African communities.
Source: Olympic Information Service (OIS) | Adapted by Sports Hunter South Sudan.
