BEFORE setting off from South West France on December 27, 2011, Nicolas Gracco de Lay was convinced that his expedition to Africa would be fruitful. His mission was to promote triathlon on the continent and also raise money for kids through his initiative drive for triathlon.On the charity side of the event, he is working with the 'Ironman for the Kids,' an association that helps raise money for kids that are in need. The Frenchman, who said he loved to be addressed as Nicolas, arrived in Nigeria on Friday and told The Guardian at the National Stadium at the weekend that he would do 3.8km of swimming, 180km on bike and another 42km running.By the time he finished the 25,000 km journey, he said, he would end up in South Africa on April 7 en route Namibia, where he would be a volunteer at the Namibia Desert Challenge from March 26 to 30. The French national, who quit his events manager job for a life of self-taught painting in Dordogne, said he found a balance in sports, especially with recreational practice of rowing and triathlon in competition in clubs of Bergnac. He also participates in short distance triathlon, the Olympic version of the discipline.'My journey has taken me through countries like Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin Republic, and I am in Nigeria on my way to Namibia in South Africa,' he said. 'Already, I have done 8,500 km and by the time I am through, I would have done 25,000 km.'Nicolas, who is undertaking this extraordinary challenge under the theme, Drive 4 Triathlon, said he hoped to use his journey to motivate the kids and athletes in general: 'Sports promotes discipline, respect and inculcate into participants the need to work hard to achieve your aim,' he added. 'I am doing this to show the kids and athletes the light.'Apart from promoting triathlon, I am passionate about the kids and I have teamed up with Ironman for the Kids to help raise money for the ones who are in need. I have the helmets of the World Champion in long distance triathlon, Sylvian Sudrie, and that of Fred Belaubre, who will be at the London Olympics, for auction. All the proceeds will go to the Ironman for the Kids.'The former events manager said he was stopping at different countries to meet athletes and train with them, and also shares ideas with them on how they could become better athletes through rigorous training, while also working with the media to promote triathlon in particular and sports in general.He said he is also encouraged by the support he gets from the countries he had visited on his trip: 'In Senegal, I met the national football team before they went for the Africa Cup of Nations. The players autographed two sweatshirts for me and I hope to also make some proceeds through auction before the end of the Nations Cup,' he disclosed.'I also met a sports club, Cainans de Dakar, that specialises in marathon and we had a lot to share and I will also meet them at marathon competition in Cape Town in South Africa.'His arrival in Nigeria was without hiccups as he was met at the Seme border by an official of the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU). He noted: 'I was happy to see the Nigerian official meet me at the border. He helped out a great deal and I was allowed to drive into the country with my vehicle, which houses all the equipment I need for this journey.'After doing 25 laps from the National Stadium to Masha on Saturday morning, Nicolas is impressed with the level of fitness of the Nigerian triathletes who were with him. He added: 'I must say that the NTU is motivated and are helping their athletes because the ones I practiced with showed great spirit and I hope they will get the chance to compete more on the international stage.'I am thankful to the NTU for receiving me and companies in France - Total and Wari - who have backed me since I set out. I hope at the end of it all, I would have become a shinning example to many athletes around the world. I enjoy sports because it promotes high work ethics.'According to NTU Secretary General, Gloria Obajimi, Nicholas' visit would be a source of inspiration and encouragement for the young. She said: 'Seeing Nicolas come all the way from France to promote triathlon in Africa will surely encourage our athletes. They were also able to train with him and he must have given them different tips to excel.'Obajimi said the NTU was happy to have Nicolas in Nigeria to promote a sport that was on the rise in the country: 'We wish him all the best as he continues his journey through Africa.
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