Olympic swimming champion Ahmed Hafnaoui uncertain about defending title at Paris 2024
Tokyo 2020 400m freestyle swimming champion Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia might not be fit to defend his title at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
"I'm currently suffering from an injury, and I don't know whether or not I will participate in the Olympics," the 21-year-old swimmer told AFP.
After previous reports stated that he would miss the Games, the head of the Tunisian Olympic Committee Mehrez Bousyan explained that "nothing is confirmed."
Hafanoui was among the favourites to defend the 400m free, and also a top contender in the 800m and 1500m events.
The Tunisian won gold in the 800m and 1500m events at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan along with a silver in his signature 400m. He was not able to replicate these results at the following Worlds edition, finishing 17th in the 400m, 18th in the 800m and 17th in 1500m free.
It was his last competitive appearance before announcing the decision to skip Paris 2024.
Recent months have seen Hafnaoui change multiple coaches, training partners and locations.
Hafnaoui said in February that he was applying to get a visa to the United States where he wanted to continue his training with American Hall of Fame swim coach Mark Schubert. The Tunisian swimmer has now said that he has cancelled his plans to train in the USA.