Alaa el-Din Abu al-Qasim with his silver medal at the London games Egyptian fencer Alaa el-Din Abu al-Qasim has been told to take an extended break to heal a serious shoulder injury sustained during the London 2012 Olympics. Abu al-Qasim, winner of the silver medal at the Olympics will undergo physiotherapy sessions and complete a medication course over six months. There are fears that the Egyptian may be stripped of his medal, because some of the medication contains banned substances. However, authorities are hopeful Abu al-Qasim will be able to recover fully and keep hold of his medal.
Twenty-one year old Abu al-Qasim lost 15-13 in the final to China's Lei Sheng. After the victory, the fencer revealed a serious shoulder injury and his medical team said that he would undergo a theraputic programme to avoid joint injections in the future. However, the programme contains doping substances which could see the players’ medal withdrawn, as was the case with some Athens 2004 olympians. The International Olympic Committee has ehanced its doping detection mechanisms with random drug tests on the increase.
Egyptian Sports Minister, Ameri Farooq has received a report from the country's Fencing Federation regarding Abu al-Qasim's injury. The minister has agreed to bear the costs of treatment, so that the player can return for the new season and compete to win medals for Egypt in the future.