CYCLE RAGE.




Initials DHC/VS/JF/SC


SPORT: OLYMPIC GAMES

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: CONGO-KINSHASA WILL COMPETE IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MEXICO CITY NEXT MONTH. THE COUNTRY HAS NAMED A TEN-MAN TEAM TO CONTEST TWO SPORTS - BOXING AND CYCLING. RECENTLY SELECTORS STAGED A RACE AMONG THE COUNTRY'S LEADING CYCLISTS TO DECIDE MEMBERS AT THE OLYMPIC SQUAD.

THE CYCLISTS ARE CONSTANTIN KABEMBA, IGNACE MANJAMBI, FRANCOIS OMBAZI, SAMUEL KIBAMBA AND BARNABE. IN THE 130 KILOMETRE (80 MILE) RACE RECENTLY WHICH BEGAN FROM KINSHASA, KABEMBA WAS THE VICTOR. KABEMBA AND BARNABE FORCED THE PACE TOWARDS THE END OF THE RACE, AND WERE NEVER SERIOUSLY THREATENED.

THE OLYMPIC TEAM WILL LEAVE ON SEPTEMBER 26, AND WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY DELEGATES TO ATTEND VARIOUS MEETINGS OF THE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES DURING THE GAMES.