Mohamed Elsayed, an Egyptian Olympic wrestler, was arrested by French police in Paris early Friday morning on charges of sexual assault. The arrest took place outside a cafe in the French capital, where Elsayed is alleged to have groped another customer's buttocks. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the incident.
In response to the arrest, the Egyptian Olympic Committee has announced that Elsayed will face a disciplinary hearing. Should the allegations be substantiated, the wrestler could be subjected to severe consequences, including a potential lifetime ban from competitive wrestling. The committee also reported that Elsayed had been authorized to attend the recent wrestling competition in his weight category but failed to return to his mission headquarters and subsequently turned off his phone.
Elsayed, born on March 16, 1998, has been a prominent figure in Greco-Roman wrestling. He garnered significant recognition with a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. Additionally, he has secured multiple gold medals at the African Wrestling Championships and the African Games, as well as victories at the Military World Games. His achievements include a gold medal in the 67 kg category at both the 2019 African Games and the 2019 Military World Games, and he has been honored as the best U-23 wrestler by the United World Wrestling Association.
Beyond his wrestling accomplishments, Elsayed has been acknowledged for his sportsmanship and has publicly emphasized the importance of respect within sports. He has often spoken about how respect is integral to his approach and philosophy toward competition.
The recent arrest has cast a shadow over Elsayed's previously stellar reputation and raises concerns about the impact on his future in the sport. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and the disciplinary proceedings will be crucial in determining the repercussions for Elsayed's career and personal life.
Â
