Bach urges WADA to look into Salazar stars

IOC PRESIDENT Thomas Bach has described Alberto Salazar’s ban as ‘very worrying’ and has called on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to look at athletes who worked with the disgraced American coach — which could include four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah. Salazar, who ran the Nike Oregon Project, was given a four-year ban earlier this week for doping violations. Speaking at a press conference, Bach said: ‘We have discussed the Salazar case, which is very worrying and raises serious concerns. ‘We are confident that the WADA will look into this case very carefully and will follow up on questions which remain open. The IOC will write to WADA in this respect.’ Pressed on what questions the IOC would be asking, Bach said: ‘To see how many athletes have been investigated. Have all the athletes been investigated who have been training in this centre? Does the report address the whole period of the existence of this project or only part of it? Could any Olympic results directly or indirectly be affected? ‘We learned from the report that the athletes would not have known what happened to them — this is an important factor when looking at sanctions, but disqualification is mandatory whether the athlete knows or not. We are very confident that WADA is looking at this anyway so we are waiting for the advice from WADA in this respect.’ Farah dominated distance running after joining Salazar before leaving the project in 2017. He has never failed a doping test and has always denied any wrongdoing, while Salazar has said he will appeal.