"Injustice is injustice" – Oumi Rayane, Remco Evenepoel's wife, criticizes Rwandan regime after the World Championships

Oumi Rayane traveled to Kigali last week to support her husband during the UCI Road World Championships. The event was a sporting success for the Belgian, who won the gold medal in the time trial for the third time in a row, besides taking silver in the road race behind Tadej Pogacar.

Yet, away from the medals and the sporting success her husband achieved, Rayane made clear that her journey to Rwanda was accompanied by mixed feelings, given the controversy surrounding the host country.

The 2025 World Championships in Rwanda were hailed as a milestone, being the first edition ever held in Africa. However, human rights organizations criticized the choice of host nation, pointing to President Paul Kagame’s authoritarian government and accusing him of using the event as a tool to improve his international image (sportswashing).

Against this backdrop, Rayane explained her personal stance, sharing a message on her Instagram that highlighted her discomfort. “My values are clear: I am against all forms of human suffering, anywhere in the world,” Rayane wrote. “Injustice is injustice. That is why, before my trip, I made a donation to an organization that helps people in the affected region.”

She stressed that her presence in Kigali was not a voluntary holiday choice, but a duty she has to fulfill in order to support Evenepoel. “The reason I am here is not because we chose this location as a ‘holiday,’ but because the World Championships were organized here by the UCI and I came along to support my husband.”

Still, Rayane underlined that she draws a clear distinction between the government and the ordinary people, who are not guilty of the problems affecting the country. “On this trip, I met people who are kind, humble, and welcoming, even in difficult circumstances. My respect and solidarity are always with ordinary people, and never with governments that cause suffering. Peace and love.”