The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
SANCTIONS
Farah says he has ‘no tolerance’ for rule breakers
Sir Mo Farah says he has “no tolerance for anyone who breaks the rules or crosses the line” after his former coach Alberto Salazar was given a four-year ban for doping violations.
The 36-year-old British athlete worked with Salazar at the Nike Oregon Project (NOP) from 2011 until 2017.
The American coach, 61, was sanctioned along with endocrinologist Jeffrey Brown for “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct” while working with the NOP, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said.
Farah, who won four Olympic gold medals at 5,000m and 10,000m during the time he worked at the NOP, released a statement yesterday.
“I’m relieved that USADA has, after four years, completed their investigation into Alberto Salazar,” he said.
“I left the Nike Oregon Project in 2017 but as I’ve always said, I have no tolerance for anyone who breaks the rules or crosses a line. A ruling has been made and I’m glad there has finally been a conclusion.”
There has never been any suggestion or allegation of wrongdoing made against Farah, who it is understood learned of the ban for Salazar when it was made public yesterday morning.
Farah denied his decision to leave the NOP was to do with the doping claims.
In 2017 he also quit running track races, deciding to concentrate on the marathon, but earlier this year said he might return to the track for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Salazar, in a statement, said: “I am shocked by the outcome today. Throughout this six-year investigation my athletes and I have endured unjust, unethical and highly damaging treatment from USADA.
“This is demonstrated by the misleading statement released by Travis Tygart (USADA chief executive officer) stating that we put winning ahead of athlete safety.
“This is completely false and contrary to the findings of the arbitrators, who even wrote about the care I took in complying with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
Salazar intends to appeal against the sanctions.
“I have always ensured the WADA code is strictly followed,” he continued in his statement. “The Oregon Project has never and will never permit doping.
“I will appeal and look forward to this unfair and protracted process reaching the conclusion I know to be true. I will not be commenting further at this time.”