Korea Association of Athletic Federations Chair Oh Dong-jin "is open to naturalising foreign athletes to lift marathon's standard" in South Korea. Oh said, "I've had extensive discussions with experts in the field on how to revive our marathon. To help improve our national record, giving South Korean citizenship to foreign-born athletes is considered an option" (REUTERS, 1/16). ... South Korea "unveiled measures aimed at protecting athletes from violent coaches," as a survey showed that physical and mental abuse was widely accepted in both amateur and elite sports circles. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a principle of "zero tolerance" for coaches caught beating athletes to force them to train harder (AFP, 1/16). ... La Liga club Malaga "will appeal against a future minimum one-season ban from European competition" to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The club has been punished for unpaid bills, as UEFA "gets tough on finances." The ban does not apply this season but will take effect the next time it qualifies for European competition in the next four years (REUTERS, 1/15).
