An Ethiopian athlete who trained with Sir Mo Farah has been accused of sexual assault, according to reports. The allegations come amid a wider dispute between Farah and Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie.
The athlete, Sisay Tsegaye, previously claimed that Farah hit him during a brawl at a hotel gym in Addis Ababa in March. Tsegaye said Farah struck him on the neck after his entourage accused Tsegaye and his wife of spying on Farah's training regime.
Farah's coach, Gary Lough, said the British runner acted in self-defence, claiming Tsegaye approached Farah's training partner in a threatening manner. Lough added that Tsegaye's wife was hit on the arm after she threatened to throw weights at Farah.
Farah has also been accused of assaulting gym manager Chala Diriba in February 2018, an incident Farah denies. Gebrselassie further alleged that the row stems from Farah's association with a coach linked to a doping investigation, though Farah's spokesman said Jama Aden has never trained him.
Police were called to the Yaya Village Hotel, owned by Gebrselassie, twice in relation to the incidents. Farah also reported that cash, a watch, and phones were stolen from his room at the hotel.
