Cycling body teams up with Israeli philanthropist to evacuate 165 Afghan refugees

Cycling’s world governing body has teamed up with an Israeli-Canadian philanthropist to help the evacuation of 165 people from Afghanistan.

The UCI announced it has assisted in the evacuation, which included a number of female cyclists, partnering with Sylvan Adams, owner of the Israel Start-Up Nation team for which Chris Froome rides.

Other organisations involved in the operation include the Asian Cycling Federation and FIFA to help a number of cyclists, artists, journalists and human rights campaigners leave.

The refugees are being resettled in Switzerland, Canada, France, Israel and the United States.

The UCI said it intended to make available its facilities at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle for the 38 refugees being settled in Switzerland.

UCI president David Lappartient said: “It is very important for the UCI to make a commitment to the members of the cycling family who are suffering due to the current situation in Afghanistan, and I am delighted that our efforts in this respect are providing opportunities for the people concerned in decent living conditions.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the governments of Switzerland, France, Canada, Albania, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and other countries which have worked on this project.”