Tunisia dissolves swimming federation amid flag dispute

Tunisian President Dissolves Swimming Federation Over Flag Incident

Tunisian President Kais Saied has taken drastic action after the country’s flag was covered at a swimming meet in response to sanctions by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Saied ordered the dissolution of the national swimming federation following the incident at the Tunisian Open Masters championship.

Images circulating on social media showed the Tunisian flag covered by a red cloth during the event, prompting outrage from the president. In late April, WADA suspended Tunisia’s National Anti-Doping Agency for non-compliance with its code, leading to the ban on flying the country’s flag at international sporting events.

President Saied personally visited the pool where the incident occurred, raising the flag and singing the national anthem in a show of defiance. He described the flag covering as “an act of aggression” and emphasized that Tunisia’s sovereignty must be respected.

In response to the incident, the Tunisian youth and sports ministry announced the dissolution of the swimming federation and the dismissal of key officials involved. The country is facing further consequences, as WADA has banned Tunisia from hosting major sporting events and flying its flag at the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Despite efforts to amend their anti-doping practices, Tunisia remains under WADA’s sanctions. The situation has cast doubt on the participation of defending Olympic swimming champion Ahmed Hafnaoui in the Paris Games, as he is reportedly dealing with an injury. The future of Tunisian sports hangs in the balance as the country works to regain international compliance.