The concealment of the Tunisian flag during the seventh edition of the Tunis Open Masters Championship, organized by the Tunisian Swimming Federation at the Rades swimming pool, has sparked outrage on social media platforms in Tunisia. This measure was taken in compliance with the sanctions imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The incident prompted direct intervention by President Kais Saied, who issued an order to dissolve the swimming federation, as reported by the Tunisian newspaper Al-Shorouk.
According to Al-Shorouk Tunisian newspaper, the incident occurred during the Tunisia Masters Championship, organized by the Tunisian Swimming Federation at the Radès Swimming Pool in Tunis, where the Tunisian flag was omitted due to compliance with the sanctions of the World Anti-Doping Agency. This sparked anger on social media platforms in Tunisia, prompting direct intervention from President Kais Saied, who ordered the dissolution of the Swimming Federation.
The details of the incident relate to the Tunisia Masters Championship, which began its activities last Wednesday, where flags of 19 participating countries were displayed on the walls of the championship hall, while the Tunisian flag was absent. The absence of the Tunisian flag from the competition venue caused outrage on social media platforms.
One Tunisian citizen on Reddit commented, “No reason can justify the absence of the Tunisian flag, especially in Tunisia. Regardless of its size, status, or location, the flag is above sanctions and depriving any Tunisian of raising their country’s flag is unacceptable.”
Some users described the omission of the Tunisian flag at a swimming event in Radès as a “scandal,” demanding accountability for those responsible. In response to the crisis, Tunisian President Kais Saied made a surprise visit to the site, raised the flag, and played the national anthem in the hall. He appeared emotional and teary-eyed, as shown in photos posted by the Tunisian Presidency’s Facebook page.
The Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports stated that the decision came after a meeting chaired by President Kais Saied at the Government Palace in Kasbah, following an unannounced visit he made to the Olympic Pool in Radès. He issued instructions for immediate legal and administrative actions against those responsible. Consequently, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced the dissolution of the Tunisian Swimming Federation and the appointment of an interim office to manage its affairs, consisting of Mohamed Al-Zaribi as president, and members Maha Al-Zawi, Shaker Belhaj, and Said Al-Wanzarfi.
