Ahmed Hafnaoui’s defense of his Olympic men’s 400m freestyle title is in serious jeopardy due to an injury that requires significant rest. The 21-year-old Tunisian sensation, who stunned the world by winning gold in Tokyo 2021 from lane eight, now faces an uncertain path to the Paris Games.
Mehrez Boussayene, president of Tunisia’s Olympic Committee, confirmed that Hafnaoui needs to rest for approximately six weeks, casting doubt over his readiness for the Games, which commence on July 26 and conclude on August 11.
“I don’t know whether or not I will participate in the Olympics,” Hafnaoui told AFP, refraining from revealing the specifics of his injury. His mother, Amira, emphasized the priority of his recovery, highlighting that his absence from Paris is not yet certain.
“Ahmed’s main focus is on his recovery. Even if he is absent, he remains an Olympic champion and has achieved international recognition despite his young age. There is still a long way to go for him to achieve the best,” she stated.
Hafnaoui’s recent performance trajectory has been a mix of highs and lows. He secured the 800m and 1,500m freestyle titles at the World Championships in Japan last year and clinched a silver in the 400m.
However, his form faltered at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, where he failed to make the finals in his events. He cited visa issues as the reason for his return to Tunisia after training in California last year.
Boussayene urged fans to maintain a humane perspective on athletes, emphasizing the importance of their well-being over medals. “One of our duties as officials is to protect and care for athletes,” he said.
“More than just medals, we seek above all the well-being of this young man who brought us so much joy. He will have other world competitions.”
As the countdown to Paris continues, Hafnaoui’s focus remains on recovery, with hopes that he can once again bring pride to Tunisia on the world stage.
Photo: BBC Africa
