On 2 June, 2020, in the run-up to the World Bicycle Day, an online meeting between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) David Lappartient and Chairperson of ARETI holding and a member of the UCI steering committee Igor Makarov was held.
The state information agency TDH reports that “in recognition of invaluable contribution and a large-scale campaign undertaken by the President to promote cycling in Turkmenistan and bring it to an international level”, the UCI steering committee made a decision to award Berdymukhammedov the UCI order, which is presented to the most distinguished individuals.
According to Lappartient, since 2007 no one has earned this award.
Because of the outbreak of coronavirus, Lappartient, who participated in the bike race in Turkmenistan in 2019, could not personally present the award to the President and therefore, it was presented in the course of the online meeting.
“We perceive this award as a sign of profound respect and international recognition of the state policy pursued by the government to facilitate the development of PE and sport”, the head of state responded during the online meeting.
Let us recall that on 3 June, 2019 on behalf of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) David Lappartient awarded the President the Certificate of Recognition.