This is a horrible story which I feel should be exposed:
Gete Wami exposes sexual abuses of female athletes
By Henok Semaegzer
Former Olympic medalist and cross-country queen Gete Wami cited sexual abuses by coaches and top Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) officials on female athletes.
Speaking at a two-day forum organized by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on 21 and 22 October, Gete stressed that female athletes were compelled to sleep with their coaches, and other officers in order to get enrolled in a club or secure a starter’s list in major global athletics events.
According to the commission’s report, the selection process for major international competitions is subjective. “Even if you have the minimum qualifying standard (minima) or good performance you won’t get anywhere if the coaches or one of the technical heads do not get what they want,EGete said. “All athletes are subject to scorn and are expected to feel good about it. I do not know what they take us for. They are just despicable,Eshe complained.
Representative of the commission also indicated that researches revealed such unethical functioning in the federation. “Female athletes are compelled to consent for sexual intercourse as male athletes give away their two, three months of salary to secure enrolment.E
Also speaking on the occasion, former world silver medalist in 10,000m, Aseffa Mezgebu, said that the federation is full of unethical practices that hold a threat to the country’s athletic success. “Members of the executive committee are parliamentarians, and government misters who have no knowledge of the sport,EAseffa said. According to the elite athletes, members of the executive body threaten athletes if they do not comply with their harsh guidelines. “They give you names if they like. They calling four times world champion in 10,000m Haile Gebresilassie, a man who obliterated 17 world records, ‘the old lionE At times they demote top athletes to the reservesElist without any objective standards.E
Generally, Aseffa said, “Athletes are not supposed to know their rights let alone demand them.E Ethiopian athletes do not have representation in the executive board as their one representative “sidedEwith the federation “abandoning the athletesE interestsE