US athletics coach Alberto Salazar, who has coached some of the world’s top distance runners including British Olympic track champion Mo Farah, has been banned for four years for doping violations.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said that Salazar’s punishment was for “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct” as head coach of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP), a camp designed primarily to develop US endurance athletes.
After the ban was announced, the US Track and Field Federation removed Salazar’s accreditation for the world athletics championships in Doha.
Salazar said he would appeal the federation’s decision, and sportswear giant Nike said in a statement that it would stand by him.
“I am shocked by the outcome today,” Salazar said in a statement. “My athletes and I have endured unjust, unethical and highly damaging treatment from the USADA. The Oregon Project has never and will never permit doping. I will appeal and look forward to this unfair and protracted process reaching the conclusion I know to be true. I will not be commenting further at this time.”
The USADA said that Salazar, who also coached US Olympian Matthew Centrowitz among other top-distance runners, trafficked the banned performance-enhancing substance testosterone to multiple athletes.
Salazar also tampered or attempted to tamper with NOP athletes’ doping control process, the agency said, after concluding its four-year investigation.
Jeffrey Brown, who worked as a paid consultant endocrinologist for NOP on performance enhancement and served as a physician for numerous athletes in the training program, also received a four-year ban.
Several members of NOP are competing in the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
None of the athletes Salazar has worked with were mentioned in Monday’s report.
Salazar stopped coaching Farah in 2017 when the runner decided to move back to England.
Farah said at the time that the doping investigation was not the reason they parted ways.
“The athletes in these cases found the courage to speak out and ultimately exposed the truth,” USADA chief executive officer Travis Tygart said in a statement. “While acting in connection with the Nike Oregon Project, Mr Salazar and Dr Brown demonstrated that winning was more important than the health and well-being of the athletes they were sworn to protect.”
Salazar said that Tygart’s comment was misleading and that he had never put winning above the athletes’ safety.
“This is completely false and contrary to the findings of the arbitrators, who even wrote about the care I took in complying with the World Anti-Doping code,” he said.
Nike, which funds the Portland-based NOP — the nation’s most elite long-distance running training center — under a US$460 million, 26-year sponsorship deal with US Track and Field, said that it would support Salazar’s appeal.
“Today’s decision had nothing to do with administering banned substances to any Oregon Project athlete. As the panel noted, they were struck by the amount of care Alberto took to ensure he was complying with the World Anti-Doping code,” it said. “Nike does not condone the use of banned substances in any manner.”
Salazar, 61, was a celebrated distance runner, winning three consecutive New York City Marathons starting in 1980.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely