Egypt Olympic cyclist faces deselection over accusations she assaulted teammate

Egypt's Olympic committee has said it will conduct a fresh investigation into allegations that a cyclist chosen for the summer Olympics in Paris deliberately assaulted a fellow teammate.

Controversy surrounded the selection of Shahd Saeed, 19, who swerved into Ganna Eliwa, also 19, during a race in April. Eliwa was pushed off her bike 300m from the finish line.

The incident left Eliwa with a concussion, a broken right collarbone and bruises and cuts to her body. She also suffered memory loss, and remains in recovery.

An initial investigation led to the Egyptian Cycling Federation suspending Saeed for one year and issuing her with a fine of $100.

The penalties, however, do not apply to international competitions, allowing Saeed to be put in Egypt's Olympic squad.

Saeed's selection, and the recent surfacing of footage of the incident has reignited outrage, with many Egyptians taking to social media to question the decision.

Eliwa has also appeared on Egyptian television expressing her anger at the decision.

"I hope she can take part in the Paris Olympics because I’m pretty sure she would come last," she was quoted by the BBC as saying on one show.

Saeed has denied deliberately knocking Eliwa off her back, however Eliwa says that she has not received an apology.

Egyptian Olympic committee president Yasser Idris has said that a newly-established Clubs and Values Committee will carry out a new probe into the incident, Egypt Independent reported on Thursday.

If found guilty, Saeed could face an international ban that would see her removed from the Paris 2024 team.