BOULDER, Colorado — Sports are a powerful force with the ability to improve health and well-being. Professional athletes can also have a positive influence on their community through advocacy and support. Biniam Girmay, the third African cyclist to win a stage at the Tour de France, has used his influence to advocate against childhood poverty in Eritrea, his home country. Through his appointment as the newest National Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he has positively impacted his community.
Who Is Biniam Girmay?
Biniam Girmay is one of the most accomplished and prominent African cyclists in the last two decades. He is 26 and calls Eritrea his home. In 2024, he became the first African cyclist to win three sprint stages in the Tour de France and took home the green jersey for the best points-scoring rider. Girmay marked a historic moment for African cycling and his home country, with people dancing and cheering in a motorcade in Eritrea’s capital city, Asmara. Despite rising to stardom as the most promising African cyclist, he is aware of his role as a representative of Africa.
Childhood Poverty in Eritrea
For decades, Eritrea has faced high levels of childhood poverty. One of the country’s major problems is its refugee crisis. Despite having one of the smallest populations on the African continent, as much as one-third of the Eritrean-born population of around 6 million is estimated to live abroad, often embarking on difficult and dangerous journeys that jeopardize economic stability. Eritrea’s highly militarized system forces children into indefinite military or national service, separating them from their families and pushing children into service before completing secondary school. The combination of these factors has led to high levels of childhood poverty in Eritrea.
Biniam Girmay’s Impact
As the UNDP’s National Goodwill Ambassador, Girmay is working to help address childhood poverty in Eritrea. He has mobilized youth to advocate for environmental sustainability and get involved in community-driven climate initiatives that provide Eritrean youth opportunities outside of military service. Girmay’s fame and success have also influenced international cycling organizations like the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to increase funding tailored to Youth Athlete Development, Development of National Sports Systems and Technical Courses for Coaches. These investments will allow children and teenagers across Africa, and specifically in Eritrea, to have more opportunities outside of the country’s military system, contributing to addressing childhood poverty in Eritrea.
Looking Ahead
Girmay has chosen to use his success and influence to create a positive impact in his community. By becoming the UNDP’s National Goodwill Ambassador, he is already impacting thousands of children by creating new development opportunities in Eritrea. As Girmay continues to compete across the world, his work off the bike demonstrates how athletes can use their platforms to support efforts against global poverty.
– Rodrigo Salgado Vallarino
Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr