In the world of Egyptian cycling, a major affair is currently shaking the sporting community. The alleged attack on Egyptian cyclist Jehane Aliouane by her teammate Shahd Saeed during the National Cycling Championship has caused public outcry. This matter took an even more worrying turn with the Egyptian Cycling Federation’s decision to include Shahd Saeed in the Egyptian team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Faced with this controversy and strong public reactions, the president of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, Yasser Idris, announced the establishment of a new investigation into the incident. A recently released video showing the alleged assault has reignited public anger and pushed sports authorities to respond more forcefully.
The Egyptian Cycling Federation initially decided to suspend Shahd Saeed for one year nationally and to impose a fine on him, following an initial investigation carried out in April 2023. However, no international sanction was imposed against him. This controversial decision has raised many questions about the fairness and integrity of sport in Egypt.
With the aim of ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation, the Egyptian Olympic Committee has established a dedicated committee, the Clubs and Values Committee. This committee will comply with international regulations to ensure a fair and equitable decision. Yasser Idris stressed that if Shahd Saeed is found guilty of the alleged assault, she faces sanctions both domestically and internationally. These sanctions could include his exclusion from the Egyptian Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Games.
The case has highlighted deeper issues within the Egyptian Cycling Federation and raised concerns about sporting culture and sports governance in Egypt. The importance of athlete safety and respect for the fundamental values of sport cannot be ignored. This case should encourage sports authorities to review their procedures and put in place stricter measures to guarantee a healthy and respectful environment for all athletes.