The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Farah’s zero tolerance as former coach suspended
● British athlete speaks out after Salazar is handed four-year ban
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 5,000 metres and 10,000m during the time he worked at the NOP, said: “I’m relieved USADA has, after four years, completed their investigation into Alberto Salazar.
“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.
Farah denied his decision to leave the NOP, in October 2017, 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 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 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. He continued: “I have always ensured the WADA code is strictly followed. 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.”
Tygart praised athletes for having the “courage to speak out and ultimately expose the truth” during the four-year USADA investigation. He said: “While acting in connection with the Nike Oregon Project, Mr Salazar and Dr Brown demonstrated that winning was more important than the health and wellbeing of athletes they were sworn to protect.”
Salazar’s violations included “administration of a prohibited method”, tampering or attempted tampering with athletes’ doping control processes and trafficking or attempted trafficking of testosterone.
Brown was found to have tampered with records, administered an “overlimit” infusion and to have been complicit in Salazar’s trafficking of testosterone.
Former Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis said: “The violations make for a damning read. It’s great that finally coaches are getting banned. In recent times it’s just been the athletes held to account.”