Ethiopian Athletics Federation President Haile Gebrselassie said that Ethiopia, one of five countries the IAAF says is in "critical care" over its drug-testing systems, "will impose lifetime bans on drug cheats." The African country has for many years "dominated distance running along with neighboring Kenya, but it had its credibility questioned this year when six of its athletes came under investigation for doping." Gebrselassie said that his administration has adopted a "zero tolerance" approach toward doping. He said, "Our stand is no excuse towards someone who has cheated. As of today, any athlete who has offended will be hit by a life ban" (REUTERS, 12/28).
The Indian Olympic Association is "not going to abide by Sports Ministry's direction to reply to the show-cause notice on the controversial elevation of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as life presidents" as it will first consult its parent int'l body, a top official said. The IOA has been given until Friday to "reply to the show-cause issued by the ministry after scam-tainted Kalmadi and Chautala were elevated to honorary position at the IOA's annual general meeting" in Chennai on Dec. 27 (PTI, 12/29).
