Sir Mo Farah condemns Alberto Salazar after former coach banned from athletics over anti-doping violations

The four-time Olympic champion admits he is relieved to see Usada sanction his former coach after a four-year investigation

Sir Mo Farah has condemned his former coach Alberto Salazar after the American was handed a four-year doping ban from athletics.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency​ (Usada) finalised a four-year investigation into the 61-year-old and sanctioned him and endocrinologist Jeffrey Brown for their work while at the Nike Oregon Project (NOP).

And four-time Olympic champion Farah has distanced himself from his former coach, admitting his relief at the conclusion of the investigation.

“I’m relieved that USADA has, after four years, completed their investigation into Alberto Salazar,” Farah said in a statement.

“I left the Nike Oregon Project in 2017 but as I’ve always said, I have no tolerance for anyone who breaks the rules or crosses a line. A ruling has been made and I’m glad there has finally been a conclusion.”

Salazar has been banned for four years (AP)

Usada said Salazar’s punishment was for “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct” as head coach of the NOP, a camp designed primarily to develop U.S. endurance athletes.

After the ban was announced, the U.S. Track and Field Federation (USATF) removed Salazar’s accreditation for the world athletics championships in Doha.

Salazar said he would appeal Usada’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 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.”

Salazar’s violations included “administration of a prohibited method”, tampering or attempted tampering with athletes’ doping control processes and trafficking or attempted trafficking of testosterone.

Brown was found to have tampered with records, administered an “over-limit” infusion and to have been complicit in Salazar’s trafficking of testosterone.