UKAD probes allegations against Farah coach Salazar

BRITAIN’S anti-doping agency is investigating claims that American long-distance running coach Alberto Salazar encouraged athletes at the Nike Oregon Project to skirt anti-doping rules.

The US Anti-doping Agency is already looking into the claims and UK Anti-doping (UKAD) said in a statement it is gathering information following allegations made by former Salazar assistant Steve Magness and former Salazar runner Kara Goucher about the coach in a story by American investigative website Propublica and the BBC last month.

Salazar has published a 12,000-word letter online disputing the allegations, saying the Oregon Project he leads “will never permit doping.”

Salazar, who is a consultant for British Athletics, coaches Mo Farah, and the Olympic champion over 5,000 and 10,000 metres said he welcomed the investigation by UKAD.

“I believe in him. But it’s no point in me just believing him. He needs to prove it to the public,” Farah said in an interview with Sky Sports yesterday.

Farah has said he will continue to work with Salazar following his coach’s detailed denial of the claims, but insisted he would end the association if the American was found to have ‘crossed the line’.

“It’s taken me half of my life to achieve what I have,” said Farah, who is also the world 5,000 and 10,000m champion. “For people to think I’ve taken a short cut, it’s not right and it’s not fair. I’m 100 per cent clean. If I’m a cheat, then prove I’m a cheat or just leave me alone and let me do what I do best.”

Meanwhile, Usain Bolt has withdrawn from the next two Diamond League meetings in Paris and Lausanne due to injury but the six-time Olympic gold medallist still plans to compete in the World Championships.

The Jamaican’s preparations to defend his sprint titles in Beijing at the end of August have been hampered by a left leg complaint that has prompted him to seek treatment from Doctor Hans-wilhelm Mullerwohlfahrt in Munich.

Bayern Munich’s former club doctor confirmed a “blocked sacroiliac joint is restricting his movement and putting pressure on his knee and ankle”.

Bolt will, therefore, spend the next couple of days receiving treatment in the Bavarian city before resuming full training.

However, he will miss the events at Paris on 4 July and Lausanne five days later, his only scheduled competitions before the World Championships.

“I’m disappointed not to be able to compete in Paris and Lausanne,” said the 28-year-old in a statement. “I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible.”