Farah backed by UK Athletics after probe

UK Athletics on Thursday revealed they had found no evidence of wrongdoing by Mo Farah in the initial findings of an investigation into allegations of doping against the British Olympic champion's coach.

UKA launched a review following allegations broadcast in a BBC Panorama programme in June that Alberto Salazar, the head coach at the Nike Oregon Project in Portland where Farah trains, had violated several anti-doping rules.

Salazar has strenuously denied all the accusations against him and Farah, who was not accused of any wrongdoing in the BBC documentary, has vowed to stick by his coach unless any allegations are proven.

UKA investigated the American's relationship with the governing body and Farah, which was undertaken by its Performance Oversight Group, comprising former athletes Jason Gardener, Dr Sarah Rowell and Anne Wafula-Strike.

As well as emphasising Farah's innocence, the governing body also said its investigation had not given it "any reason to question the appropriateness of the input" given by the Nike Oregon Project to the 32-year-old's training regime.

A statement from UKA said: "With reference to the first and most vital objective of the review, the Board can confirm that none of the extensive information supplied to the POG contained any evidence of impropriety on the part of Mo Farah, nor gave UK Athletics any reason to question the appropriateness of the input given by the Oregon Project to Mo Farah's training regime."

Farah was questioned by the United States Anti-Doping Agency at a London hotel on Saturday, a day after he received a warm reception on a winning return to the Olympic Stadium for the Anniversary Games in London.

UKA said the formal investigations by USADA and UK Anti-Doping into the allegations against Salazar meant the findings from its own review "will now need to be shared with UKAD, at their request, prior to any wider circulation".

It said that its board therefore does not expect to make a public announcement on its full findings until after the World Championships in Beijing, which finish on August 30.
Source: AFP