Tunisian swimmer aiming for glory in 800m freestyle final

Ahmed Jaouadi of Tunisia preparing for action. (Reuters)
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  • Jaouadi will compete for a medal in Tuesday’s final

LONDON: Tunisia’s Olympic team are hoping for swimming medal glory at the Paris Games after Ahmed Jaouadi came second in his 800m freestyle heat on Monday.

The 19-year-old notched up a time of 7 minutes 42 seconds and was just over half a second behind Irish winner and current world champion Daniel Wiffen.

Jaouadi will compete for a medal in Tuesday’s final in the absence of his compatriot and 2023 world champion Ahmed Hafnaoui, who is not at the Olympics this year.

American distance star Bobby Finke, a Tokyo Games gold medal winning, and Australia’s Elijah Winnington, fresh from taking the 400m silver, also made the final.

If Jaouadi wins a medal, he will add to Tunisia’s haul after fencer Feras Ferjani won silver in the men’s saber final on Saturday.