Tunisian Ministry to Decide on Hafnaoui's Mediterranean Games Participation

Tunisian Olympic and world champion swimmer Ayoub Hafnaoui's participation in the upcoming Mediterranean Games in Tarento, Italy, hangs in the balance. A crucial meeting is scheduled at the Ministry of Youth and Sports to make a definitive decision regarding his presence at the event.

Hafnaoui had initially incorporated the Tarento games into his training program. In May, the Tunisian National Olympic Committee provided him with special funding to support his preparation for this and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He had also publicly stated his intention to compete in Tarento, which is set to take place from August 21 to September 3, 2026.

The swimmer is currently training in the United States, where he recently won the 200-meter freestyle at the Florida Summer Swimming Championships with a time of 1 minute 50.76 seconds. This performance signals his continued progress ahead of major international competitions.

This situation is not entirely new, as the ministry had previously discussed measures to enhance the preparation conditions for elite athletes, covering financial, logistical, technical, and psychological support. The upcoming ministry meeting aims to provide clarity on whether Hafnaoui will compete in Tarento, a key event in his 2026 sporting calendar.