"Perhaps I was naive": Tom Dumoulin responds to criticsm for being a guest in Rwanda

The recent World Championships in Kigali, first-ever on African soil, were a spectacular and unique event that will be remembered for many reasons. Mainly thanks to the impressive performances of all athletes involved with stunning Tadej Pogacar's championship ride to round off the festival in Rwanda's capital. For many cycling fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the exotic land at the occasion of cycling's biggest event of the year (besides Tour de France).

Among those who grabbed the opportunity at hand to travel to Kigali was Dutch cycling legend Tom Dumoulin. The former time trial world champion was invited to the east-African country by Rwanda's biggest travel agency - Visit Rwanda - alongside other ex-pros turned experts such as Simon Geschke and Bram Tankink.

An innocent decision to discover a new environment while watching the best cyclists in the world live... However Dumoulin quickly came under the fire of criticism of compatriots, led by Dutch journalist Thomas Sijtsma, pointing out that Dumoulin let the Rwandan regime use his name for the purpose of sportwashing.

"I visited the capital, Kigali, and some of the country's tourist attractions over four days at the invitation of Visit Rwanda. I accepted because it was incredibly interesting that the World Championships were being held in Africa for the first time," Dumoulin reacted to the critical voices somewhat reluctantly to NOS.

Dumoulin says he was curious about Rwanda. "How is it possible that I don't know a country like Rwanda at all? All I knew about it was the horrific genocide and that an authoritarian regime was in power. So I accepted the invitation."

After his trip to Rwanda, criticism arose. From people outside the country, but also from people within his own circle. "I came under considerable fire from some journalists and people close to me. They said I'd allowed myself to be exploited for sportswashing."

Looking back, Dumoulin admits that he might've made a rashed decision without looking past to the consequences it would have.

"Was I naive? Yes, perhaps. I relied on my curiosity and perhaps didn't delve deeply enough into the country's issues. Sometimes you make an error in judgment."