Doping claims knowingly false: Salazar

US track coach hits back at BBC/ProPublica documentary aired last week

LONDON: American track coach Alberto Salazar declared on Tuesday that people accusing him of contravening doping rules are “knowingly making false statements”, adding that he denies “all allegations of doping”.

A BBC/ProPublica documentary broadcast last week alleged that Salazar, who coaches British distance great Mo Farah, gave American runner Galen Rupp the banned anabolic steroid testosterone when Rupp was a teenager.



There is no suggestion that double world and Olympic champion Farah — who trains with Rupp — has broken doping rules, but he withdrew from Sunday’s Birmingham Diamond League meeting, saying he felt “drained” by the affair.

“I have said all along that I believe in a clean sport, hard work and I deny all allegations of doping,” said Salazar, who runs Nike’s Oregon Project training camp, in a statement sent to The Guardian.

“The BBC and ProPublica have engaged in inaccurate and unfounded journalism, with a complete lack of regard for both Rupp and Farah. Given the time and effort the BBC and ProPublica committed to making these false allegations, I hope that media and fans will afford me a short time to show the accusers are knowingly making false statements.”

Salazar added that he would document and present the facts as quickly as possible so that Rupp and Farah could focus on doing what they love and have worked so hard to achieve.

The documentary also alleged that Salazar encouraged Rupp — who finished second to Farah in the 10,000-metres at the 2012 London Olympics — to exploit rules regarding the use of intravenous drips. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th,  2015.

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