London 2017: Athlete banned for beating up coach

An Ethiopian athlete has been banned for two years for attacking his coach after learning he didn’t make the team for next month’s world championships in London.

Ethiopian Athletics Federation spokesman Sileshi Bisrat says 21-year-old steeplechase runner Chala Beyo, who competed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, punched coach Yohannes Mohammed when the team was announced.

The coach needed medical treatment for an injured left eye, and Bisrat says police are searching for the runner. Bisrat says Chala was carrying a rock when he assaulted his coach, but didn’t use it.

Chala ran for Ethiopia in the 3000 meters steeplechase at last year’s Olympics. He didn’t qualify for the final. The federation says it has banned him for two years from all competitions.