Cycling: Turkmen autocrat Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov honored by the UCI

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

On June 2, the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartient, awarded an honorary title, the UCI order, to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, autocratic president of the Republic of Turkmenistan, in Central Asia. A gesture that does not go unnoticed and that embarrasses the UCI. Indeed, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is the head of one of the worst dictatorships in the world.

Publicity

On a set of the official Turkmen television channel, Altyn Asyr, on the eve of World Bike Day (June 3), President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is on duplex with Switzerland, where the UCI headquarters are located. David Lappartient addresses him: "  I am pleased to inform you that on World Bike Day, the UCI Management Committee has taken the unanimous decision to award you the highest UCI prize and his certificate for your immense contribution to the development of world cycling.  "

The influential Igor Makarov, Russian magnate and member of the UCI steering committee

On another screen, in inlay, we see Igor Makarov. The Russian magnate, born in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan, creator of the Russian cycling team Katusha in the late 2000s, member of the UCI steering committee is close to the President of Turkmenistan.

Igor Makarov, a very influential, very wealthy man - his heritage valued at $ 1.9 billion according to the American magazine Forbes - has become essential within the UCI. Makarov had supported Brian Cookson against Pat McQuaid in 2013 for the presidency of the UCI. Four years later, he would have worked behind the scenes for the Frenchman David Lappartient, 44 years old at the time, against the same Cookson. 

According to the Australian website Cyclingnews, Igor Makarov had already weighed with all his weight to elect David Lappartient in 2013 at the head of the European Cycling Union (UEC) before he became president of the UCI. “  Makarov makes sure to keep the President of Turkmenistan aside, and he uses Lappartient to do so. This president loves biking, biking, wants people to bike, and that's great  , ”said a source close to the UCI at Cyclingnews. 

World Track Championships in 2021 in Turkmenistan

Last year, David Lappartient made the trip to Turkmenistan for the inauguration of the velodrome where the World Track Championships will take place in 2021. Was there a conflict of interest between the commercial activities of Makarov, principal gas exporter from Turkmenistan between 1992 and 2000 and the UCI? The latter had taken care to answer this question through a press release: “  Although Mr. Makarov regularly facilitates communications between the UCI and the State of Turkmenistan, the allocation of the 2021 UCI Track Cycling World Championships has been dealt with in accordance with the conditions and scale applicable (and published) at the time  ”. David Lappartient is the third UCI president that Makarov took to Turkmenistan, after Brian Cookson in 2014 and Pat McQuaid in 2008.

Oddly, the UCI did nothing to communicate on the award ceremony to Berdimuhamedov. This ten-minute sequence seems rather embarrassing for the global governance of cycling and its president. There is not even any communication of the event on the official UCI website.

Berdimuhamedov, one of the most disparaged heads of state on the planet

It must be said that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is one of the most disparaged heads of state on the planet. On June 3, thousands of Turkmen officials in tracksuits followed in a giant bicycle parade, the authoritarian and eccentric president of this reclusive country in Central Asia, on the occasion of World Bike Day.

Turkmenistan, one of the most closed countries in the world, which has 12% of the world's gas reserves, is officially spared from the Covid-19 pandemic and has not taken any restrictions, celebrating the milestones on the contrary. Gurbanguly Berdymoukhamedov, 62, also unveiled a sculpture over 30 meters tall in tribute to cycling, which has become an important component of state propaganda in Turkmenistan, which touts a healthy lifestyle. Mr. Berdymoukhamedov regularly stages himself on television, doing or giving sports lessons.

Re-elected head of the country in 2017 with 98% of the votes

With Kim Jong-un's North Korea, Turkmenistan competes for the gold palm of the most oppressive regime on the planet. In 2017, Gourbangouly Berdymoukhamedov was re-elected head of the country for a new seven-year term, with 98% of the vote. In this country, often criticized by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, freedom of expression is severely restricted.

Political opponents are repressed and often put in prison, as are homosexuals and religious. No form of opposition is tolerated in this ex-Soviet republic rich in hydrocarbons. Freedom of the press is flouted. The predecessor of the current president, who died in 2006, had established a delusional cult of his personality.

No direct reaction from David Lappartient

Contacted by RFI, the UCI press service has not yet replied. Solicited also by L'Équipe , David Lappartient, former politician (at UMP, now the Les Républicains party), did not wish to react to this information. He let the press service respond by email: "  The UCI has handed over the UCI order to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in recognition of his country's commitment to cycling, through both 'world class events, mass events and promotion of cycling for all. The UCI order is the highest distinction awarded by the UCI. It is in principle reserved for political figures who are particularly committed to cycling. Several leaders have been awarded the UCI order since its creation in 2004.  ”

If the two predecessors of David Lappartient, Pat McQuaid (2005-2013) and Brian Cookson (2013-2017) also had good relations with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during their mandate, neither of them remembers having given this award to any dignitary . The list of possible recipients is currently not found in the UCI archives.

The conversation between David Lappartient and the President of Turkmenistan

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