Coach Alberto Salazar drug allegations worry WADA chief
Last Updated: 06/06/15 12:57pm
Athletics coach Alberto Salazar may face a probe if there is sufficient evidence to investigate drug allegations, according to the chief of WADA.
A TV documentary broadcast on Wednesday night alleged Mo Farah's coach Salazar was involved in doping, although there was no suggestion that double Olympic champion Farah was in any way involved in any wrongdoing.
Salazar, one of the world's most successful coaches and head coach at the prestigious Nike Oregon Project, was accused of violating anti-doping rules through the use of banned steroids such as testosterone and unethical practices.
It also alleged that Salazar was involved in doping his athlete Galen Rupp, silver medallist at the 2012 London Olympics behind Farah in the 10,000m, when the American was 16 years old.
Both Alberto and Galen have made their perspectives clear and fully refute the allegations made against them
Nike statement
Farah, Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, insisted: "I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance."
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) director general David Howman said he was "disturbed and very disappointed" when he was shown the results of the blood chart of Rupp, who has also protested his innocence.
Howman said: "We are trying to get access to the footage in Canada. I do not know how easy that will be - but that's what we are undertaking at the moment.
"It's probably sensible not to say too much until we have seen the footage of the programme, but if the allegations are as serious as they have been reported then they need to be investigated beyond a national level."
Salazar, a former long distance runner himself who won prestigious marathons in New York and Boston, says his coaching philosophy involves intensive training and the use of the latest scientific techniques.
I am completely against the use of performance enhancing drugs
Runner Galen Rupp
On the claims, he said: "Allegations your sources are making are based upon false assumptions and half-truths in an attempt to further their personal agendas.
"I believe in a clean sport and a methodical, dedicated approach to training and have never, nor ever will, endorsed the use of banned substances with any of my athletes."
Rupp, one of America's most drug tested athletes, strenuously denies ever using testosterone or testosterone medication.
"I am completely against the use of performance enhancing drugs," said the 29-year-old American record 10,000m holder.
"I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance."
Nike - which created the Oregon Project in 2001 near its Portland headquarters to promote American long distance running - have insisted those accused are innocent.
Their statement said: "We take the allegations very seriously as Nike does not condone the use of performance enhancing drugs in any manner.
"Both Alberto and Galen have made their perspectives clear and fully refute the allegations made against them."
UK Athletics responded to the allegations and in a statement said: "UK Athletics welcomes these investigations and would encourage the BBC to share all of the findings with the relevant anti-doping authorities so that they can be fully scrutinized by the appropriate independent bodies, and we too will be reflecting carefully upon the content of the programme.
"UK Athletics operates an absolute zero tolerance policy towards the use of performance enhancing drugs and toward any and all doping practices within sport."
UK Anti-Doping also released a statement on the issues raised by the programme.
UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: "The news tonight reflects the challenge we face to ensure athletes and sports events in the UK are protected from doping. Exposing doping athletes and their support network is a responsibility that rests with everyone involved in sport.
"We encourage anybody with information about doping in sport to contact us as it is essential to UKAD’s investigations. Our deterrence and detection programme thrives on intelligence and we are firmly committed to taking every opportunity to expose serious dopers and those who drive doping decisions."
