Heile Olympic row rumbles
Ethopian athletics chiefs have blasted the manager of double Olympic champion Heile Gebrselassie.
Last Updated: 16/07/08 5:00pm
Ethopian athletics chiefs have blasted the manager of double Olympic champion Heile Gebrselassie for 'meddling' in the distance runner's possible participation in Beijing.
Confusion still surrounds whether two-time Olympic 10,000 metres champion Gebrselassie will take part in China due to health problems.
Ethiopia have named Gebrselassie in their 30-strong Olympic team to travel to China for the Games, which start on August 8.
However, the runner's Dutch manager Jos Hermens has reportedly been casting doubt on his client's participation in the Olympics due to health worries.
Hermens' actions have not gone down well with the Ethiopian athletics officials, who have warned him to stay out of the matter.
Warning
Ethiopian Athletic Federation's technical manager Dube Jillo warned that Hermens would be banned from representing any other Ethiopian athlete if he continues.
"Unless he (Hermens) stops meddling in Ethiopian affairs, he may be banned from managing any Ethiopian athlete in future," said Jillo.
"Our medical team has examined Haile and has found him fit to compete at the Beijing Olympics.
"Haile's participation in the Olympics is a decision of the Ethiopian federation and not that of Hermens."
Gebrselassie has said that he is still unsure on his Olympic participation, with reports earlier in the year suggesting he would not run due to pollution fears in Beijing.
