Tokyo Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui handed 21-month suspension for whereabouts failures
DOHA: Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui, the Tokyo Olympics 400 metres freestyle gold medallist, has been handed a 21-month suspension for three whereabouts failures, the Aquatic Sports Integrity Unit (ASIU) announced.
The ban, which runs until January 10, 2026, also results in the disqualification of all Hafnaoui’s results from April 11, 2024 onwards. According to the ASIU, Hafnaoui admitted to committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period — violations that pertain to missed doping tests or failure to provide accurate location details for testing.
Hafnaoui rose to international prominence with a surprise victory in the 400m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He followed it up with an impressive performance at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, where he captured gold in the 800m and 1,500m events and silver in the 400m.
He did not compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to an undisclosed injury. Reuters has reached out to Africa Aquatics and the Tunisian Olympic Committee for further comment on the suspension.(Reuters)
