4 Argentinian Travelers Achieved Their Dream Reaching Qatar by Bicycle
4 travelers from Argentina achieved their dream of arriving in Qatar by bicycle, on a journey that started from South Africa to support their country's national team in the 2022 World Cup.
The travelers expressed their happiness at arriving in Qatar and their aspiration that their journey, which lasted for 177 days, would contribute to changing misconceptions about the Arab world and the region.
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According to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the four friends, Lucas Ledesma, Leandro Peggi, Silvio Gatti, and Matthias Versese, traveled more than 10,000 km, from the south of Cape Town, South Africa, to Qatar, passing through 15 countries in Africa and Asia.
They were greeted on the Doha Corniche by crowds of Argentina fans, in front of the countdown clock of the tournament, whose competitions will start in a few days.
Team leader Lucas Ledesma said that every day on this long journey has been a wonderful adventure over the past six months since we set out from South Africa last May.
He added: “We have witnessed many pleasant surprises and enjoyable experiences over the past six months, and we have encountered many people who have welcomed us across Africa and the Middle East, helped us learn about their cultures and traditions, provided us with food, and invited us to stay in their homes.
We were warmly welcomed by everyone along the way to our final stop in Doha, where we were greeted by enthusiastic crowds, who greeted us with cheers and chants.”
For his part, Leandro Peggi expressed his happiness to visit the Arab world and the region, and to contribute to changing stereotypes and misconceptions about the Arab world and the Middle East, noting that travel broadens horizons and allows learning about the customs and traditions of peoples from all over the world and bringing cultures closer.
Peggy, who recently published a book about his journey on foot from Argentina to Alaska, added: “The media usually presents the people of the region through a certain stereotype, but in reality, they are completely different from what we see on the screens.
We were greeted by people with warmth and welcome, distinguished by generosity, and love of giving, regardless of their capabilities and circumstances, and they all insisted on providing us with food and water. "
The four travelers had decided to take this adventure after their country qualified to participate in the World Cup, and this is not the first time that they have taken such adventures, as they had previously driven bicycles, to attend many major sporting events, such as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the World Cup 2018 in Russia.
The four travelers, along with all the Argentine people, hope that their country will succeed in winning the FIFA World Cup for the third time in its history, after winning the cup in the 1978 and 1986 editions.