Cyclist star, Desiet Kidane Tekeste has died at the age of 21 in a road traffic accident back in her home country of Eritrea.
The young cycling star was reportedly training at home in the city of Asmara, Eritrea when she was hit by a car and killed.
Desiet Kidane was looking to stay active as she trained in Eritrea, an African country bordering Sudan and Ethiopia.
She was building a reputation as a rising star in cycling since winning gold in the time trial at the Junior African Continental Championship back in 2018.
News of the 21-year-old’s death soon brought a wave of tributes with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) leading the way on social media.
The UCI wrote: ‘With her constant smile, kindness, respect and deep passion for cycling, Desiet Kidane Tekeste was a rising young talent who will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and @WCC_Cycling team-mates and coaches during this tragic time.’
Amina Lanaya, deputy general at the UCI, penned her own statement in which she wrote: ‘Such a tragic loss. On behalf of everyone at the UCI and WCC Cycling, our hearts go out to Desiet’s family and close ones during this tragic moment in time.