Alberto Salazar, Coach for Mo Farah, Galen Rupp, Implicated in Doping Probe
Alberto Salazar, the coach of distance-running stars Mo Farah and Galen Rupp, is the focus of a documentary which claims athletes under his tutelage were taking the banned anabolic steroid testosterone.
According to Mark Daly of BBC News, an investigation launched by the broadcaster revealed claims that the former marathon runner breached anti-doping rules in 2002. It’s noted in the piece there is “no suggestion” Farah is involved in any offences.
On June 24, Eddie Pells and Pat Graham of the Associated Press reported that the USADA is opening an investigation into the allegations against Salazar.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
On June 19, Dan Roan of BBC provided an official statement from Farah concerning the allegation surrounding Salazer and himself:
""I have never taken performance enhancing drugs in my life and I never will. Over the course of my career I have taken hundreds of drugs tests and every single one has been negative. I’ve fully explained the only two tests in my career that I have ever missed, which the authorities understood, and there was never any suggestion that these were anything more than simple mistakes.
"
The last two weeks have been the toughest of my life – with rumours and speculation about me that are completely false – and the impact this has had on my family and friends has left me angry, frustrated and upset. In particular, the media pressure on my young family and my wife, who is 5 months pregnant, is extremely painful, especially as I’m away training for some important races.
As I made clear, I went to Portland to speak to Alberto Salazar and demand answers. He reassured me that the claims are false and that he will soon be providing evidence to make that clear. Until then I will not be commenting further on the allegations.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fans, family, friends and teammates for all the great support they have provided over the last few days and hope that I will now be allowed to focus on my training and winning medals for my country."
Farah withdrew from the Birmingham Diamond League in light of the news and spoke on the toll its taking on him, per the BBC on June 7:
"I have not been able to focus properly on today's race and after the events of the last few days I feel emotionally and physically drained.
I want to run well in the World Championships in Beijing (22-30 August) and have decided it is better for me to go back to the US, seek answers to my questions and get back into training.
I apologise to the people who bought tickets to come and watch me race and ask for your understanding at this time.
"
Ben Bloom of the Daily Telegraph did raise one question mark over Farah's reaction to the news, reporting on June 8: "The double Olympic champion appeared to say that he found out about the allegations only “three to four days” before the airing of the BBC Panorama documentary. [...] However, the Daily Telegraph has learnt that, while not being told full details of specific allegations, Farah was informed that Salazar may have committed doping offences when he was sent a letter four weeks before the programme aired."
UK Athletics released a statement noting that they're not concerned about Farah's links to the coach, according to the BBC on June 6:
"UK Athletics said it had "no concerns over the conduct and coaching methods of Salazar in relation to Farah or in his role as an endurance consultant".
[...]
As an organisation with a proven anti-doping commitment, we view the allegations made in regard of non-British athletes who have been coached by Alberto Salazar with utmost seriousness.
It is the role of the appropriate independent anti-doping agencies to investigate these further.
"
We repeat our call for them to do so at the earliest opportunity, and to share those findings so that we can take any appropriate actions.
Salazar has a marvellous reputation as a coach, helping Farah win double gold at the London Olympics in 2012; Rupp finished second behind the Brit in the 10,000-metre final. The 56-year-old is currently the head of the Nike Oregon Project which is based in Portland.
Daly outlines the basis for the investigation and the subsequent findings in his piece, noting claims that Rupp was given banned substances 13 years ago when he was a 16-year-old:
"None of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP) athletes has ever failed a drug test. But the BBC has heard claims about some of Salazar's methods including the use of banned steroids and unethical practices.
The BBC is aware of at least seven athletes or staff associated with the NOP who say they have gone to the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) with their concerns, though Usada does not confirm or deny investigations. …
The investigation into the Oregon Project - which is a BBC collaboration with US journalism organisation ProPublica - heard claims that American distance runner Rupp had been given the banned anabolic steroid testosterone in 2002, when he was 16 years old.
"
The documentary lifting the lid on the investigation will be aired on Wednesday, containing allegations from “a number of former athletes and staff.”
Salazar’s former assistant Steve Magness makes some of the most significant accusations, telling the documentary (h/t Sean Ingle of the Guardian) that he was shocked when he saw reports of the blood levels of the athletes in the stable back in 2002:
"Under one of Galen’s it had ‘currently on testosterone and prednisone medication’ and when I saw that I kind of jumped backwards.
Testosterone is obviously banned and everyone knew that. It was all the way back in high school – and that was incredibly shocking. At that point I actually took a picture of it. I wanted to essentially to have evidence in case something happened.
"
In response to these claims, Salazar released a defiant statement, per Daly's piece: “I believe in a clean sport and a methodical, dedicated approach to training and have never, nor ever will, endorse the use of banned substances with any of my athletes.”
In the same article, Farah states that he has “not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance.” Rupp is also quoted denying taking any prohibited substances, stating he is “completely against the use of performance enhancing drugs.”
The documentary will surely command the attention of those across the world involved in the sport, and further details will surely emerge as a result.
Athletics has made encouraging strides alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency when it comes to banned substances in recent years. As such, it'd be a major disappointment if such a high-profile, inspirational figure does become embroiled in a controversy of this nature.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
