Yet again the narrative that diversity only counts if African American athletes are the focus. How about looking at the entire world before someone claims that "cycling is a white". If anyone bothered to check out the Asian Games,the South East Asian Games and the World Youth Games they would see medal competitions for female cyclists in Road,track,MTB and BMX. The same applies in Africa and the Latin countries and their respective "Games".

Almost a third of the countries represented in the Female Olympic Road Race in Rio were from "non-white" countries.The hard truth is that perhaps the non-white nations also happen to be from mainly poorer,developing nations and that can't foster talent to be competitive at the highest level.Perhaps also, that socio-economic reality is also reflected in the African American cycling community.

Having enough funding to move a country from developing nation to first world competitive nation is the issue.In western,first world countries there are still cultural reasons and financial barriers that have shaped the makeup of various sporting landscapes.If there is no money then there are few development programs.If there is no development there is little interest.If there is little interest then there is little participation and if there is little participation there is little chance of talent moving to the top of the sport.

A kinda sobering interview with world's first female black pro cyclist:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/...st-african-american/?

Yet again the narrative that diversity only counts if African American athletes are the focus. How about looking at the entire world before someone claims that "cycling is a white".

I would say skiing, equestrian and generally motorsports

The minute cycling, triathlon and swimming start paying as well as the major leagues do, you will see more diversity.

But you haven't.

Or would you give up your Kona slot as well? My guess is no. After busting your ass for years and months and days and hours, enduring all that it takes to reach Kona, you'd be hard-pressed to give away your slot. Not because you are a racist but because wanting, working for and earning something is worth so much more than having it given to you.

Some people love to tell others how to live but when the rubber hits the road, they often aren't willing to make sacrifices themselves.

My daughter and her friends are on the protest lines in Seattle. Each one attended an elite east coast school and not a one of them gave their slot in college to an underprivileged person - nor did they ask to.

But you haven't.

Or would you give up your Kona slot as well?

In the US (the rider interviewed is an american), I think that there is a specific focus on African Americans because (1) the rider interviewed is African American and because (2) African Americans were enslaved for several hundred years and because (3), even compared to other minorities in the usa, to this day African Americans experience the most severe and widespread racism (see, George Floyd et al.)

Finally, in ANY country in ANY place in the world, out of billions and people and many millions of cyclists, how many full-time professional black cyclists are there? Anyone have an idea? I imagine that there are not many. And full time professional women? Even less.[/quote


……..

Show me how many African American cyclists have the talent to be full time professional cyclists.Show me how many African American cyclist there are who have the talent but are being refused the opportunity to race pro.This is something you fail to address and if there are pro level athletes that are being actively refused the opportunity then lets let the cycling world know about it.I suspect that scenario isn't happening. Maybe the hard truth is that,at the moment,there just aren't the number of African Americans who are interested in making the leap to the professional ranks.

It is about funding,access and active development and I'll quote myself from my original post on this thread..
----
"Almost a third of the countries represented in the Female Olympic Road Race in Rio were from "non-white" countries.The hard truth is that perhaps the non-white nations also happen to be from mainly poorer,developing nations and that can't foster talent to be competitive at the highest level.Perhaps also, that socio-economic reality is also reflected in the African American cycling community.

Having enough funding to move a country from developing nation to first world competitive nation is the issue.In western,first world countries there are still cultural reasons and financial barriers that have shaped the makeup of various sporting landscapes.If there is no money then there are few development programs.If there is no development there is little interest.If there is little interest then there is little participation and if there is little participation there is little chance of talent moving to the top of the sport."
-----

No need to quote.

In Europe, why are there not more black pro cyclists, say, as many there are in Euro football (soccer for americans) ?

..
Because being a professional footballer starts when you are a kid(for some under contract) Because as kids they were not interested in cycling but ran around with a football under their arm all day kicking it in the streets with their mates pretending they were playing for Brazil in the World Cup.

I am from Hong Kong and that is exactly what I did,all day,every day. I even got to meet Pele.

Seems it may be time to stop trying to have a rational conversation?
Add to the fact having worked in Tanzania for four years the roads in Africa are majority dirt. I rode from Nairobi Kenya to Dar Es Salaam Tanzania over several weeks and every other day from work lots of people riding brand new Chinese made bikes same design as pre WW2 as transport or a makeshift seat on the back as a taxi. The place is poor and kids make soccer balls out of plastic bags because they can’t afford balls, live in mud huts with a small crop of maize and a cow if they are a rich family let alone buy a bike. The talent pool to choose from isn’t great.
There is money in football, it’s the international game like baseball is to the US so African interest is high, locals flock to games, tournaments readily, easily organised and competition is high so for talent to make it out isn’t so hard as there will be a lot of scouts. At the World Cup there HAS TO BE several African nations so talent will be spotted on the biggest stage in the world (if it hasn’t already) and it will Make it to Europe.
Swimming you need a pool, coaches and interest in the sport so why aren’t there more African swimmers? Is this racist? Running you need a set of shoes if you are lucky to get started, interest in the sport, a talent pool and what do you know Africa dominates the sport. I’ve been following the post and the whole cycling is a racist sport I am finding somewhat tiresome.
Being Australian I remember watching Eric the Eel at the 2000 Sydney Olympic games read his story and watch the video pretty much sums up why some African sports are misrepresented.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Moussambani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQbKCHsRIyk

Look at the soccer or basketball leagues in Europe. The black athletes are more than adequately represented.