Mohamed Ihab, Egypt’s most decorated weightlifters in modern history, announced his retirement on Tuesday shortly before the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation was suspended by Egypt’s local Olympic Committee over new allegations of doping. In statements to Filgoal.com, Ihab said that he had decided to retire as a result of the International Weightlifting Federation’s decision in September to ban Egypt from participating in weightlifting competitions for two years. “I decided to retire after Egypt’s recent ban. My target was to achieve a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but it is difficult to lift the ban,” said Ihab, referring to the fact that it is likely Egypt’s weightlifters will be banned from participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics unless Egypt is successful in reversing the ban. Ihab said that “if a miracle happens and the ban is lifted”, he would return to weightlifting. Otherwise, Ihab plans to complete his Master’s studies and commence a career as a coach. Ihab, who started weightlifting when he was just eight-years-old, won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ihab broke numerous Egyptian records and won a total of 48 medals (35 gold, eight…
Egypt’s Best Weightlifter Retires as Weightlifting Federation Suspended for Doping
October 9, 2019
