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Sir Mo Farah happy to be drug tested 'any time, anywhere'

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11:  Mo Farah of Britain celebrates winning The Great North Run on September 11, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Engl
Image: Sir Mo Farah has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing

Sir Mo Farah says he is happy to be drug tested "any time, anywhere" and for any of his historical samples to be reanalysed.

The British four-time Olympic champion has found himself back in the spotlight following fresh doping allegations against his coach Alberto Salazar in recent weeks.

In the latest development, it was reported on Saturday that American anti-doping investigators believe they have enough evidence to retest the samples of athletes at the Nike Oregon Project, which is run by Salazar.

The Daily Mail said Farah's sample would be among those analysed, although it would be for UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and not the US authorities to decide whether there was cause to look again at any tests taken by British athletes.

Image: Alberto Salazar denies wrongdoing following a leaked USADA report

Farah has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and on Sunday said: "I'm not aware of any request.

"But as I've said many times, I'm happy to be tested any time, anywhere and have any of my samples tested or retested now or at any time in the future, by any official body."

Farah has remained loyal to Salazar, who has denied all accusations of wrongdoing since doping allegations against him were first broadcast in June 2015.

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Image: Farah supported his coach Salazar through a previous doping controversy back in 2015

Chief executive of UKAD Nicole Sapstead released a statement on Saturday saying that all British athletes could potentially have their samples retested based on new information.

"We do not comment on our testing strategy or ongoing investigations, as has been made clear in recent investigations," Sapstead added. "Status is no barrier to thorough testing or potential investigations.

"UKAD treats all athletes in the same way."

ROME, ITALY - MAY 07:  Lord Sebastian Coe, President of IAAF, takes a speach during the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championship Rome 2016 Opening Ceremon
Image: Lord Sebastian Coe says Russia could be allowed back into athletics this year

Lord Coe, the president of athletics' world governing body the IAAF, said on Sunday that judgement should be reserved until the United States Anti-Doping Agency announces its findings.

He also added that Russia could be allowed back into the global athletics fold later this year. Russia was banned from fielding a team in international events in November 2015 after compelling evidence of a state-sponsored doping programme was uncovered.

"I hope there is a real possibility of that," Coe said. "We should acknowledge the progress that is being made.

"The task force is very clear that there are still some challenges that lie ahead and we shouldn't jump too many bridges but there's no doubt this is a federation, the new Russian athletics federation, that I think has grasped the scale of the problem.

"We need to make sure we continue to do everything we can to get clean Russian athletes back into the international fold."

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