Yasser Idris, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, commented on the controversy surrounding Egyptian cyclist Jehane Aliouane and the alleged assault she suffered at the hands of her teammate, Shahd Saeed, during the Egyptian National Cycling Championship.
The incident has resurfaced following the Egyptian Cycling Federation’s decision to include Saeed in the Egyptian team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In response to the public outcry surrounding the allegations, the Egyptian Olympic Committee has announced that it will conduct a new investigation into the matter.
In April 2023, the Egyptian Cycling Federation’s evaluation committee had imposed a one-year domestic suspension and a financial penalty on Saeed following the initial investigation. However, she was not sanctioned internationally.
The recent release of a video showing the alleged assault has sparked renewed public outrage, prompting the Olympic Committee to revisit the case.
Idris said that the Olympic Committee has established a new committee, the Clubs and Values Committee, to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. The committee will adhere to international regulations in making its decision.
If Saeed is found guilty of the alleged assault, she could face both domestic and international sanctions. This could include being banned from the Egyptian Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Idris explained.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Saeed has cast a shadow over Egyptian cycling and has raised concerns about the sport’s culture and governance.
