sport

In the past the image of cocaine, Pablo Escobar and guerrilla warfare were synonymous with Colombia. In fact, in the 1990s Medellín, Colombia had the dubious distinction of being the ‘murder capital of the world.” Now everything is changing. Medellín has become one of the world’s emerging cities and the cradle of much of Colombia’s culture. Expats young and old are now discovering this wonderful city. Other cities like Cartagena and Bogotá are experience a resurgence.

Yesterday (July 28, 2019) something happen to help Colombia’s to really improve Colombia’s image and put the country in the international spotlighting a positive way. Colombia’s Egan Bernal became the first Colombian to win the prestigious Tour de France, the most prestigious bicycle race in the world.

Born in the thin air of Zipaquirá (alt. 2,650m), a small city north of Bogota known for its salt mines, Bernal was destined to climb. He began riding a mountain bike at seven years old, and it was in that discipline that he thrived as a junior, winning world silver and bronze in 2014 and 2015.Bernal finished 15th at last year’s Tour.

Cycling is huge in Colombia, a country with a long and rich association with the Tour, from Luis ‘El Jardinerito‘ Herrera in the 1980s to Nairo Quintana, who has twice finished runner-up in recent years.

In deed, Colombian now has something to celebrate as it emerges from its dark past.