The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) banned an Ethiopian athlete for two years for attacking his coach.
Steeplechase runner Chala Beyo was apparently distraught when he failed to make it to next week’s IAAF world championships in London, thus venting his ire on coach Yohannes Mohamed, sending him to the hospital for injuries sustained on the left eye on Wednesday.
As per Article 15(2) of the bylaws of the federation, EAF’s executive committee decided to ban him for two years from all competitions.
Chala Beyo specializes in the 3000-meter steeplechase, and won gold in the distance at the 2016 African Championships, becoming the first non-Kenyan to win that title since Brahim Boulami did so in 2002.
He made his international debut at the 2014 African championships, finishing fourth behind a Kenya trio. As a result, he was chosen to represent Africa at the 2014 IAAF Continental Cup, held later at the same venue, and he again took fourth place. He placed fifth at the 2015 African Games. Chala represented Ethiopia in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at Rio, but failed to progress to the final.
By Dawit Tolesa
