MPS to quiz Chakraverty over Farah supplement

A doctor who injected Sir Mo Farah with a controversial supplement is to give evidence to MPS today.

Dr Robin Chakraverty, formerly of UK Athletics, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee as part of an ongoing inquiry into doping in sport.

Chakraverty, who now works with the England football team, administered an intravenous infusion to Farah prior to his London Marathon debut in 2014.

The substance concerned was L-carnitine, which is legal provided it is not infused in a quantity greater than 50 millilitres every six hours.

The matter came to light following the leaking of a report from the United States Anti-doping Agency.

It was also reported that USADA has been unable to ascertain if the infusion given to Farah was legal or not because UKA failed to properly record the amount infused.

Farah and his coach Alberto Salazar, who allowed the injection to be made, deny any wrongdoing.

UK Athletics’ head of endurance Barry Fudge and chief executive Ed Warner are among those also due to speak along with Liz Nicholl, the chief executive of UK Sport.

The evidence session focuses on athletics and the alleged abuse of drugs at the Nike Oregon Project, where Salazar is based, and the responsibilities of governing bodies in combating doping.

USADA has welcomed the hearing as it continues its own investigations.

Damian Collins MP, chair of the CMS committee, said: “In this hearing the committee wants to look at how the anti-doping rules, and the protocols around athletes’ use of medication is policed by people working within sport.

“As with our investigation into cycling, we are interested as well in the responsibilities of the governing bodies to ensure that the rules are being followed correctly.”