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Nike chief executive Mark Parker will step down from his position next year less than two weeks after the closure of the shoe company’s controversial Oregon Project.
The Oregon Project’s head coach, Alberto Salazar , was banned for four years earlier this month after being found guilty of doping violations by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Parker had become embroiled in the scandal with emails alleging to show he had been briefed about doping-related tests conducted by Salazar. After the coach’s ban was announced, Parker offered his full backing to Salazar and said the company would support the 61-year-old’s appeal.
Parker will become Nike’s executive chairman and will be replaced by John Donahoe as chief executive – the company’s fourth in its 55-year history.
Nike added that Parker would ”continue to lead the board of directors and work closely with Donahoe and the senior management team”.
Show all 70 1 /70Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge proudly holds the flag of Kenya after breaking the two-hour barrier
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates his incredible accomplishment
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt An advertising billboard erected in Nairobi
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The starting line of the race
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge and his team of pacemakers
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start of his sub two-hour attempt
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge leaves the start line
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge runs during his attempt to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge in action next to his pacemakers
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge in action next to his pacemakers during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The Kenyan marathon world record holder in action next to his pacemakers
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt A fan poses with gadgets during the race
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of the INEOS Chemicals company, during the race
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
Reuters
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's wife and children and Sir Jim Ratcliffe watch on
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge is embraced by Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe
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Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge is embraced by Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
In an interview with CNBC , Parker insisted the decision had “absolutely nothing” to do with the Oregan Project or allegations of gender discrimination after The New York Times published opinion articles and videos from female runners saying they risked losing pay if they became pregnant.
He also claimed that Nike had spent “many months” on planning his succession. “This is not something that happens in a number of weeks,” he insisted. ”It’s really unrelated to Oregon Project or any other issues.”
Alberto Salazar has been banned for four years (AP) On 11 October, Nike released a statement admitting the Salazar situation had become “an unfair burden” on athletes on the elite training programme.
“We made the decision to wind down the Oregon Project to allow the athletes to focus on their training and competition needs,” it read. “We will help all of our athletes in this transition as they choose the coaching set-up that is right for them.”
Parker joined the company in 1979 as a footwear designer and has been CEO since 2006.
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