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 function: 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 asserting the information, Amos wrote:
“Life is filled with sudden turns, and typically, these turns lead us to probably the most unimaginable alternatives. In the present day, 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 probability to share what I’ve discovered, to information and encourage athletes, and to make an impression differently.”
Amos’s profession on the observe was among the many most spectacular of his technology. He received Olympic silver behind Kenya’s David Reset 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 assist his household after reportedly spending greater than $65,000 in authorized charges to defend his doping case.
His resolution to take a training function miles away from residence seems to be one other monetary turning level. Iran has by no means received an Olympic or world championship medal on the observe, making Amos’s appointment an fascinating transfer, particularly contemplating the grey previous.
