Double World Champion Ahmed Jaouadi Taking Distance Talents to University of Florida
Coming off gold medals in the 800-meter freestyle and the 1500 freestyle, Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi will be shifting his training base to the University of Florida, where he will race for the Gators in NCAA competition. Jaouadi first made the announcement during an appearance on the Social Kick Podcast, hosted by Luke Paddington, Bryan Lundquist and John Mullen. Florida confirmed his commitment on social media.
The addition of Jaouadi only strengthens a Florida/Gator Swim Club distance contngent, guided by Anthony Nesty, that is without peer. The group already includes Olympic champions Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke, and now a multi-time world champion is being added to the mix. Jaouadi was previously coached by Frenchman Philippe Lucas, one of the most respected distance coaches in the sport and the former mentor to Laure Manaudou, among others.
At the recently concluded World Championships, Jaouadi was dominant in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. In the shorter distance, the 20-year-old posted the third-fastest time in history, claiming the title in 7:36.88. Only China’s Zhang Lin (7:32.12) and Tunisia’s Ous Mellouli (7:35.27) have been faster. In the 1500 freestyle, Jaouadi went 14:34.41 for the 10th-fastest performance of all-time.
Prior to winning world titles in Singapore, Jaouadi was the gold medalist in the 1500 freestyle at the 2024 World Short Course Championships. He also earned the bronze medal in the 800 freestyle. Prior to that meet, Jaouadi was fourth in the 800 freestyle and sixth in the 1500 freestyle at the Olympic Games in Paris. The Olympic outings inspired Jaouadi on the road to the World Champs.
“It was a very tough competition for me,” he told Olympics.com of the Paris Games. “I think fourth might be the worst place an athlete can get. But instead of hurting me, it made me more motivated and it made me more hungry for what was to come next.”
