Reigning world champion Ahmed Jaouadi says Philippe Lucas has been paid after the French coach lodged a complaint with the Tunisian Swimming Federation (FTN) alleging he had not been financially compensated.
Lucas claimed he had not been paid for over a year despite signing a pair of agreements with the FTN in October 2024, one to coach Jaouadi and another to coach fellow Tunisian distance standout Ahmed Hafnaoui.
Despite Lucas filing a legal complaint against the FTN, the federation said it set aside the money for him when it paid Jaouadi, and that the onus was on Jaouadi to pay him, something the swimmer disputes. The FTN said at the time that Jaouadi was in breach of contract for not paying Lucas.
However, Jaouadi told SwimSwam that the FTN was responsible for paying Lucas, and after they didn’t pay him on time, he paid the coach out of pocket initially to cover what he was owed.
He said he was paid an installment of his contract with the FTN in August, which the federation claimed to have included money set aside for Lucas, but Jaouadi was clear that he had nothing to do with the agreement between Lucas and the FTN.
After the federation stopped responding to both Jaouadi and Lucas, the Tunisian ministry took control of the case from the federation after the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. He said the federation finally transferred the money on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Lucas had claimed he was owed 50,000 Euros (25,000 Euros per swimmer), in addition to bonuses, for coaching Jaouadi and Hafnaoui.
The coach had previously referred to the situation as “total chaos” and “shame for Tunisian sport,” citing conflict between officials at the Tunisian Ministry and the FTN, and how frequent personnel changes make it difficult to monitor the situation.
Lucas has coached Jaouadi from 2023 up until this past fall, when he joined the University of Florida.
After making a pair of Olympic finals and then winning a short course world title in 2024, Jaouadi established himself as one of the best swimmers on the planet in 2025, claiming the first two long course world titles of his career in Singapore with a dominant win in the men’s 800 free and then doubling up with a victory in the 1500 free.
Hafnaoui, who has also signed on with the University of Florida but has yet to compete for the Gators, broke out by winning an upset Olympic gold medal in the men’s 400 free in 2021, and followed up by winning a pair of world titles in 2023. However, he has not competed internationally since February 2024, having been given a 21-month suspension for missed doping tests that came to an end on January 10.
Owed $50,000
Received 1 dollar
So Ahmed Jaouadi paid Lucas *AFTER* the filing suit was first reported by the media.
Does he not know it?
That it’s unethical and embarrassing?
Hmmm that’s not a great look for Jaouadi..
Especially with the results he got from being coached by Philippe Lucas.
The Ahmed’s tried to fleece him and embarrassed Tunisian Swimming because of it