Egyptian cyclist Shahd Saied disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024 after collision uproar on social media

The Egyptian Olympic Committee removed the nation’s cyclist Shahd Saied from the Paris Olympics 2024 final participants list after her selection for the mega event created a huge controversy on social media.

Moving into the details, her selection caused a social media uproar after a video of Saied knocking her competitor off her bicycle a few months ago went viral.

In April 2024, during the National Championships, a video displayed Saied colliding and pushing one of her competitors, Ganna Eliwa, onto the ground before racing ahead in the competition.

Interestingly, Eliwa later accused Saied of an intentional attack and stated she suffered from a concussion and broken collarbone with bruises and temporary memory loss after the incident.

"What is she doing there, didn't she crash into her competitor on purpose?" asked one Facebook user questioning her participation in the Summer Games.

"This is beyond shameless and I hope you fail,” the user added.

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Shahd Saied stated the incident was an accident

Though Saied stated the incident was an accident, she was handed a one-year ban from local competition.

However, the Egyptian Cycling Federation created controversy recently after it named Saied for the Paris Olympics 2024, backing her selection by stating that she had made the cut prior to the controversial incident.

After the social media uproar, the country’s sports ministry was quick to ask for a review of the decision by the Cycling Federation. The Egyptian Olympic Committee on Sunday, July 14, confirmed that the local ban meant that she was disqualified from international competitions.

Nevertheless, Shahd Saied told a local TV that she was retiring from the competitive sport.

"I'm not going to bike anymore. If they don't want me to represent Egypt, fine, I won't go to the Olympiad," she said recently.

Notably, Shahd Saied initiated her career in Fayoum, her hometown, south of Cairo, around four years ago. She secured two gold medals in individual events at the African Championships earlier this year.

It’s worth noting that Egypt is trying its best to get hold of the possible successful bid for the Olympics in 2036, spending billions on facilities and sending a large contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024.