Who is Shahd Saied? All about the Egyptian cyclist who was removed from the Paris Olympics

Shahd Saied is a 19-year-old Egyptian track cyclist who was initially selected to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, controversy arose due to a collision with her teammate, Ganna Eliwa, and she was removed from the Olympic team.

Saied was selected based on her track cycling prowess and results achieved before the incident with Ganna Eliwa. In April, during the national championship, a video captured Saied colliding with her competitor, Ganna Eliwa. She was riding behind her before deviating and pushing Eliwa to the fence.

Fans weren't happy with Shahd Saied's inclusion in the Paris Olympics 2024,, which sparked a controversy on social media.

Eliwa received multiple injuries, including loss of memory. Following the incident, Shahd Saied received a one-year suspension and was removed from the Egyptian cycling team for the Paris Olympics 2024. While Saied insisted it was just an accident and ‘not deliberate,’ Eliwa claimed that it was Saied's fault and supported Egyptian authorities' decision to remove her from the team.

After her removal from the team, Shahd Saied stated that she was retiring from the sport.

"I am retiring from cycling. I'm not going to bike anymore. If they don't want me to represent Egypt, fine. I won't go to the Olympics," she said on a local TV (via BBC).

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Shahd Saied's Cycling Career Overview

As an athlete, Shahd Saied is regarded to possess a natural talent and skill for cycling, and she represented Egypt in the under-18 national cycling team at the 2023 African Continental Cycling Championships.

Saied secured two gold medals at the African Championships 2024 in the individual events.

Saied started her cycling career at Fayoum Sporting Club. She changed multiple Clubs later and currently is part of the Suez Sporting Club. The 19-year-old has also been part of the 6 October Club.

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