Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui, Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle at the Games in 2021, has received a 21-month suspension for three anti-doping whereabouts failures, the Aquatic Sports Integrity Unit ASIU said.
"Mr Hafnaoui admitted that he committed three whereabouts failures within a twelve-month period," the body wrote on its website.
"His results have been disqualified from 11 April 2024 onwards," the statement explained.
Hafnaoui missed two anti-doping tests while training in America and then a third after returning home to Tunisia, amidst visa issues in the United States.
The ban will end on 10 January 2026.
Hafnaoui withdrew from the Paris Olympics last July and August following speculation on his eligibility status.
He won gold in the 400m freestyle at the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and world titles in the 800m and 1500m in 2023 in Fukuoka, also in Japan.
To facilitate unannounced drugs tests, athletes are required to enter their whereabouts into a software programme to be able to allow for easy tracking and ease of travel and logistical management for the drug testing teams from ASIU.
