After serving a three-year doping ban, Botswana’s Nijel Amos, the eighth-fastest man in historical past over 800 metres, is taking over a brand new position: head middle-distance coach for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The 31-year-old, who owns a lifetime better of 1:41.73, accomplished his doping suspension in July after testing optimistic for GW1516, a banned metabolic modulator, throughout an out-of-competition take a look at in 2022.
In a Fb publish saying the information, Amos wrote:
“Life is filled with sudden turns, and typically, these turns lead us to essentially the most unbelievable alternatives. At present, I’m humbled and excited to start a brand new chapter because the nationwide middle-distance head coach of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is a likelihood to share what I’ve discovered, to information and encourage athletes, and to make an influence another way.”
Amos’s profession on the monitor was among the many most spectacular of his era. He gained Olympic silver behind Kenya’s David Rudisha on the London 2012 Video games, the place his 1:41.73 efficiency stood as a U20 world document and the third-fastest time in historical past, behind solely Rudisha and Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer. The medal was additionally Botswana’s first ever on the Olympic Video games.
Throughout his ban, Amos made headlines when he advised the media he was promoting his Olympic silver medal for US$300,000 to assist help his household after reportedly spending greater than $65,000 in authorized charges to defend his doping case.
His determination to take a training position miles away from dwelling seems to be one other monetary turning level. Iran has by no means gained an Olympic or world championship medal on the monitor, making Amos’s appointment an attention-grabbing transfer, particularly contemplating the grey previous.
