Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Previously banned Olympic medallist turns into Iran’s head coach

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 check in 2022.

In a Fb publish asserting the informationAmos wrote:

“Life is filled with sudden turns, and generally, these turns lead us to probably the most unbelievable alternatives. Right now, 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 realized, to information and encourage athletes, and to make an impression 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 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.

Nijel Amos
Nijel Amos racing 800m on the Sound Operating’s The Monitor Meet in 2021. Photograph: Kevin Morris

Throughout his ban, Amos made headlines when he informed 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.


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