Former ambassador
Jaïr Tjon En Fa
Ambassador since September 2021
Track cyclist who finished fourth in the Keirin at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Suriname's first Olympic final since Anthony Nesty in 1992.
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“This time around my commitment is bigger than an Olympic medal; it is also about committing my career as a World Class cyclist to use every opportunity I get to be a green ambassador for the most forested country in the world and to inspire my fellow citizens and the world to keep Suriname and the rest of the Earth as green and as clean as we can.”
Jaïr Tjon En Fa is a Forest93 ambassador. Their project contributions will appear here as they are recorded.
About Jaïr Tjon En Fa
Since Anthony Nesty’s performance at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Suriname had not reached an Olympic final, until Jaïr Tjon En Fa’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The track cyclist finished fourth in the Keirin: a landmark on the way to an Olympic medal.
Jaïr became interested in cycling at the age of 13. Surinamese cycling icon Glenn Stekkel spotted his potential early, and with the help of trainer Sydney Montecieux, Jaïr quickly reached the top of cycling in the Caribbean region. In 2010, aged 16, he set out to pursue his dream of an Olympic medal.
His Olympic journey began at a cycling training camp in Florida, USA, hosted by Joël Chavez. There coach Antonio Dieguez recognised his sprint talent, and took Jaïr under his wing until 2019, bringing him to the top at continental level in the Americas. On the strength of his international results, Jaïr became eligible to train at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, where he now lives and trains.
A promise
Jaïr made a promise to himself: “11 years ago, I dreamed of making it to the Olympics. With the support of so many, especially my family and day one sponsors I did so by qualifying for the Tokyo games. I just missed a podium finish, and that performance only fueled my dream to become even better: a podium spot at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.”
To support Jaïr’s Olympic journey, follow him on Facebook or contact his foundation, Stichting Sprint2Greatness.