Mo Farah coach Alberto Salazar denies doping accusations

A BBC/ProPublica documentary 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.

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”.

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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,” Salazar, who runs Nike’s Oregon Project training camp, said 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 Galen and Mo.

“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.

“I will document and present the facts as quickly as I can so that Galen and Mo can focus on doing what they love and have worked so hard to achieve.”