(ATR) The IAAF is launching another salvo in the battle against doping, this one aimed at a prominent coach and his athletes.
Distance running coach Jama Aden was arrested on June 20 outside Barcelona, Spain following what the IAAF called a lengthy investigation that was carried out in close cooperation with Interpol, Spanish police and the Spanish National Anti-Doping Agency (AEPSAD), among others.
Aden’s room was raided along with the rooms of some of his athletes. Multiple media reports say pre-filled syringes of EPO, anabolic steroids and other doping materials were found. A physiotherapist associated with the group was also arrested.
No athletes were arrested as part of the initial raid but Spanish police say they arrested a Qatari athlete on June 21 as part of the ongoing investigation.
The police did not identify the man but Spanish media are reporting that he is Sudanese-born Qatari Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla. Balla is the two-time defending Asian 800m champion. He finished fifth at the world indoors earlier this year and managed a sixth place at last year's world championships.
Aden is a highly successful coach. His prize pupil is Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, who is the current world 1500m champion. Among his other athletes are 1000m world record holder Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti and world indoor 800m champion Abubaker Kaki Khamis of Sudan. Former clients include 2012 Olympic 1500m champion Taoufik Makhloufhi of Algeria.
Following Monday’s raid, the IAAF said it "will use all available resources and powers to protect clean athletes and the integrity of our sport. This includes targeting and investigating individuals and coaches who are intent on exploiting athletes and promoting the use of prohibited substances."
Svein Arne Hansen, the president of European Athletics, said the raid and the arrest of Aden was "the direct result of a tip off by a vigilant member of the sport to IAAF."
"This is both a great result for the new era of the IAAF and a strong message to anyone with suspicions to immediately share them with confidence to IAAF."
Written by Gerard Farek
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