This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Mo Farah, the British Olympic champion, has come under scrutiny following the suspension of his former coach Alberto Salazar. Farah, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, worked with Salazar from 2011 to 2017.
On September 30, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) handed Salazar a four-year ban for doping violations. Farah responded angrily to questions about his former mentor, with whom he achieved some of his best performances.
“It’s very disappointing to see you guys going at it again and again, and headlines, ‘Farah, Farah, Farah’,” he said.
Farah emphasized that there are no allegations against him and that he has not done anything wrong. He also expressed frustration with the media's negative coverage, stating, “If I tell you guys and talk to you guys and be nice to you, you’ll still be negative. If I don’t talk to you, you’ll still be negative.
“I’m aware I can’t win. You’re already made up your mind what you’re going to write –- that is a fact.”
Farah also addressed the 2015 BBC documentary that made allegations against Salazar. He stated that he had confronted his coach and was assured that the allegations were false.
Farah, who won Olympic gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 2012 and 2016 Games, said he was unaware until after the ban was announced that Salazar was charged with doping in 2017.
Salazar has denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal against the suspension. Farah and other athletes, including Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay, have been associated with Salazar's Nike Oregon Project.
On Thursday, Nike announced that it would shut down the Nike Oregon Project. Neither Rupp nor Hasay has been accused of any wrongdoing.
As the Chicago Marathon approaches, the doping scandal has raised questions about the sport's ability to clean up competition. Paula Radcliffe, a Nike ambassador and world record holder, stated, “My issue is this isn’t the battle won. This is the battle far from won.”
