Alberto Salazar Responds to Doping Scandal in Open Letter

Alberto Salazar has released a detailed open letter in which he vehemently denies the doping allegations levelled at him.

Following an investigation detailed by the BBC's Mark Daly, Salazar, who coaches distance-running Olympic medalists Mo Farah and Galen Rupp as part of his Oregon Project stable, was accused of violating anti-doping rules, including allegations from his former colleague Steve Magness.

But the former marathon star has responded in a lengthy, two-part open letter on the Oregon Project’s official website (links here to Part 1 and Part 2).

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“Recently, the BBC/ProPublica published stories not just attacking me but attacking my athletes and the Oregon Project,” begins the statement. “Former athletes, contractors and journalists make accusations in these stories, harming my athletes. At best they are misinformed. At worst, they are lying.”

One of the most serious accusations made in the subsequent BBC documentary is that Rupp, who finished second to Farah in the 10,000m at London 2012, was given the banned substance testosterone as a 16-year-old. But Salazar insists that Magness, who discusses the discovery in Daly's aforementioned piece, is misinformed:

"

In the BBC/ProPublica stories, Magness makes numerous allegations about a mistaken notation in a log-book charting athletes’ hemoglobin levels. The specific notation related to a December 2002 notation for Galen Rupp that states: “presently on prednisone and testosterone medication.”

I specifically recall the incident and Magness bringing it to my attention. Magness’ description of what I said is inaccurate. I did not disparage Dr. Myhre, for whom I had great respect. My clear recollection is that when he showed it to me, I stated that the entry was “crazy” as Galen had never taken testosterone. I then stated that Galen, as a 16-year old kid, must have misspoken about the supplements he was taking.

"

As noted here by Owen Gibson of the Guardian, the coach looked to dispel further claims surrounding the asthma and thyroid medication that Rupp takes:

Indeed, Salazar describes Rupp in his letter as “one of the hardest working, most honest and genuine athletes I have ever known.” He also reiterates that the American has “never taken a banned substance.”

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Salazar is critical of Magness throughout, claiming he “lacked the ability to coach elite athletes” and that’s why his his contract was terminated. In addition, Salazar also makes the following claim about his former deputy and some concerning behaviour in respect of one female athlete:

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Magness appeared to be focused on one female runner, to the detriment of the others. Some Oregon Project runners and staff reported to me that they believed Magness may be having a physical relationship with this runner. I confronted Magness about it and he denied it. I don’t know whether he was telling the truth or not. 

[…]

His focus on the one female athlete was harmful to the team. He doted on her, and some of his other athletes complained to me about his conduct. In my view, Steve’s behavior became more and more unprofessional and counterproductive.

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Salazar also expresses his disappointment at the manner in which the scandal has been covered since the allegations have emerged. The coach claims the reputation of the stable and the athletes involved have been “tarnished with nothing but innuendo, hearsay and rumor.”

Nonetheless, he finishes the letter, which totals circa 11,000 words, in defiant mood:

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Some have tried to console me by saying public attacks like these are the price of success in today’s world. You win: people will try to tear you down. That’s not my world. That's not the Oregon Project. Here, success is earned with talent, hard work, dedication and fair play…. and, that’s how it is going to stay. Let the haters hate; we’re going to keep winning through hard work, dedication and fair play.

I hope you will afford those individuals that have misled you the same demands for proof and substantiation as you.

"

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Such is the length of the open letter, it will take time to digest in full. But it’s clear throughout that Salazar is insistent that there has been absolutely no wrongdoing from him, the scheme or on the part of any of his athletes.

Nonetheless, as he notes himself, it’s an episode that is likely to leave an eminent mark on the Oregon Project. Just how detrimental that’ll be depends on the responses to this boisterous statement and the conclusion of any further investigations Salazar’s substantial retort may prompt.