Athletics coach Alberto Salazar has again strenuously denied doping allegations made against him, saying he believes in “a clean sport and hard work”.
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In a lengthy and detailed open letter on the website of the Nike Oregon Project – the high-performance programme he oversees – the American, who is the coach of double Olympic champion Mo Farah, addressed allegations made in a recent BBC Panorama programme which accused him of violating anti-doping rules.
The documentary alleged that Salazar was involved in doping American Galen Rupp, the 10,000 metres silver medallist at the 2012 London Olympics behind Farah, in 2002 and claimed that some of the coach’s methods included the use of banned steroids and unethical practices.
However on the eve of the American trials – which start today and are set to include Rupp – Salazar has insisted he would never permit doping from his athletes and demanded the allegations made against him are withdrawn by the BBC and American-based investigative journalism organisation ProPublica.
He said: “I believe in a clean sport and hard work and so do my athletes. The Oregon Project will never permit doping and athletes must fully comply with the WADA Code and IAAF Rules.
“I will never permit doping. Oregon Project athletes must fully comply with the WADA Code and IAAF Rules. At no time do we use science in violation of the WADA Code.
“We strictly adhere to competition and anti-doping rules at all times. I hereby demand the BBC and ProPublica immediately publish a retraction of their false statements.”
Salazar’s statement, almost 12,000 words long, dealt with each allegation specifically and in detail.
No allegations have been made against Farah, the Olympic 5,000 metres and 10,000m champion, but the Briton has been forced to defend his reputation since the documentary aired.