WE NEED TO PROBE SALAZAR’S ROLE AT UKA, SAYS PAVEY
BRITISH Olympian Jo Pavey has called for greater scrutiny of Alberto Salazar’s involvement at UK Athletics from his four years as consultant with the organisation. Monday’s Panorama documentary revealed fresh claims from US athlete Ari Lambie that the banned coach sent her to Dr Jeffrey Brown, who allegedly put her on thyroid medication despite there being no medical need to do so. Salazar was a UKA consultant from 2013 to 2017, and Pavey wants to be assured none of his controversial practices were adopted in Britain. Findings from an independent review into the UKA decision to allow Sir Mo Farah to continue training under Salazar — despite serious allegations by Panorama in 2015 — are due in the spring, but Pavey believes it needs to expand its parameters. She told Sportsmail: ‘After watching Panorama, particularly the parts relating to thyroid medication at the (Nike) Oregon Project, my concern would be over whatever might have happened here when Alberto Salazar was involved as a consultant. It should be part of the ongoing review. My view will always be that thyroid meds should be banned for those who do not have a medical need.’ Thyroid medications, which can aid weight loss, are not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list. In November, Sportsmail reported the concerns of some British athletes that legal thyroid treatments may have been targeted by UKA as a way of obtaining a marginal gain. UKA, who have previously denied any wrongdoing, insist they only ever screen for thyroid issues as a precaution — and that they advise treatment solely when necessary. There is no suggestion UKA have used the medication as a performance enhancer.
The Mail on Sunday revealed this month that Jessica Ennis-Hill’s former coach Toni Minichiello had raised concerns at a UKA members’ council meeting. Pavey’s call comes after the Panorama broadcast, in which Farah is shown to have changed his story about L-carnitine injections during a 2015 interview with US Anti-Doping.