Egyptian Cyclist Shahd Saeed Withdraws from Paris 2024 Olympics

Egyptian cyclist Shahd Saeed has announced her withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympics and her retirement. The decision comes after a recent public backlash due to an incident where she allegedly collided with her teammate, Ganna Eliwa, resulting in significant injuries.

During an interview on the talk show ‘Ala Maso’leyaty’, Saeed cited the public backlash following as the primary reason for her retirement. Saeed expressed frustration that she wasn't allowed to explain herself amid the online criticism. She clarified that there is no personal rivalry between her and Eliwa.

In April, Eliwa, suffered a concussion, a broken right collarbone, and severe cuts and bruises after being pushed off her bike just 300 meters before the finish line, according to medical reports. Following an inquiry into the incident, the Egyptian Cycling Federation imposed a one-year suspension on Saeed and fined her approximately $100, the highest penalty allowed.

However, they included her in the list of participants for the track cycling event at the Paris Olympics, sparking public outrage. Social media users inundated the federation's account, urging them to remove Saeed's name from the list of competitors.