The Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics handed multi-year suspensions to both the president, Toni Nasri Nassar, and the secretary general, Farid Abi Raad, of the Lebanese Swimming Federation.
Nasri Nassar was issued a seven-year suspension on March 17 after being found in violation of multiple World Aquatics integrity regulations. These violations include submitting false information and falsified documents to the organization in order to gain additional financial support.
Nasri Nassar was provisionally suspended in late February alongside former Lebanese Swimming Federation treasurer Mhamad Hamdan for possible violations; no updates on Hamdan have been provided at this point.
Meanwhile, after receiving a provisional suspension back in December, Abi Raad has now been suspended for 10 years by the AQIU. In addition to the suspension, the secretary general was issued a $50,000 fine for violating several integrity regulations.
Similar to Nasri Nassar, Abi Raad is reported to have submitted false information and falsified documents to gain financial support from World Aquatics.
Under the suspension, both individuals are banned from holding any position within World Aquatics or any of its continental organizations and member federations, as well as from participating in or attending any aquatic related events and competitions hosted by these organizations.
Nasri Nassar is currently set to regain his eligibility in February 2032, while Abi Raad will regain his in December 2034.
Lebanon sent one swimmer to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris; Simon Doueihy raced the 100 free, placing 42nd overall.
