FALCON POWERS – The incident of the Tunisian flag being hidden during a swimming tournament at the Radès pool in the capital city, in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s sanctions, has sparked widespread anger in popular and political circles. This prompted direct intervention from President Qais Saied, who ordered immediate punitive and administrative measures, considering the act a heinous crime against the Tunisian people, with no room for the perpetrator to escape punishment.
During the Tunisian Masters Open Championship, the Tunisian flag was concealed with a red cloth, following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) sanctions, while the hall was adorned with the flags of the 19 participating countries in the championship.
As a result of the incident, President Saied ordered the dissolution of the Swimming Federation and the dismissal of officials, including the Director-General of the National Anti-Doping Agency.
Images showing the Tunisian flag hidden by a red cloth during the Tunisian Masters Open Championship were widely circulated by activists on social media.
President Saied visited the pool on Friday evening, appearing in an angry video where he raised the flag and performed the national anthem.
Later, during a meeting with Prime Minister Ahmed El-Hachani and ministers, he stated, “There is no room for tolerance with this. Tunisia comes before the Olympic Committee and any other committee.”
While shouting and holding the flag in his hands, he continued, “This is an assault, and there is no room for tolerance with anyone, no matter who they are.” The Ministry of Youth and Sports issued a statement late on Friday-Saturday announcing the dissolution of the Tunisian Federation after President Saied “gave his instructions to take immediate punitive and administrative measures against those responsible for the incident of concealing the national flag mural.”
The ministry also announced the dismissal of the Director-General of the National Anti-Doping Agency and the regional commissioner for youth and sports in the neighboring governorate of Ben Arous, near the capital Tunis.
In early May, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed that Tunisia had not complied with the World Anti-Doping Code and announced sanctions against the country.
The organization clarified that Tunisia would not host regional, continental, or international championships, and the Tunisian flag would not be allowed to be raised in the Olympic and Paralympic Games until the country returns to the fold of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
WADA stated in its statement that the decision of non-compliance, which is final and immediate, was due to “its inability to fully implement the 2021 version of the World Anti-Doping Code within its legal system.”
Days after the decision, the Tunisian authorities issued the legal amendments requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency, but WADA has not announced the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Tunisia.
