Farah subjected to five-hour USADA grilling after London victory

Guy Aspin 10:01 27/07/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Farah won the 3,000m event in London.

    Mo Farah was questioned by a United States Anti-Doping Agency investigator on Saturday over the doping allegations surrounding his coach Alberto Salazar.

    The double Olympic champion was questioned by American lawyer Bill Bock, the man who helped bring down Lance Armstrong, for five hours at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, according to Britain’s Sunday Mirror.

    — PACE (@PACESportsMgmt) July 25, 2015

    The 32-year-old, one of a number of people the anti-doping authorities are talking to, has already said he is happy to co-operate with any investigation. The meeting, however, was routine and had been scheduled for some time.

    Farah has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but has been caught up in the doping storm which has engulfed Salazar, the head coach at the Nike Oregon Project in Portland, who has vehemently denied breaking anti-doping rules.

    Farah’s questioning by USADA came the day after he was cheered to the rafters on his return to the Olympic Stadium, winning over 3,000 metres at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, his first race in Great Britain since the doping scandal broke.

    The Briton, who is sticking by his under-fire coach but has vowed to leave him should any accusations be proven, said after the meeting: “It went alright… It’s all good. And I’m good, good, good.”

    Farah paid tribute to the raucous support he received from the Olympic Stadium crowd on Friday night, the episode clearly having not lowered his standing in the eyes of his adoring public.

    – Worlds: Bolt has a lot to prove on injury return
    – Salazar: Farah has no more to say on claims
    – Usain Bolt: ‘I was hurt by Tyson Gay doping’

    He said after that race: “It was amazing to get the support I got, it was incredible, it just reminded me of 2012.”

    Farah will now head to his Pyrenean training base of Font Romeu to prepare for the defence of his world 5,000m and 10,000m titles in Beijing next month.

    “There is still a little bit of work to be done because when you ease down for a race, you come off the gas a bit,” he said.

    “The next couple of weeks will be kind of heavy weeks and then just before the World Championships I will ease down a bit. I’m confident, but you never know. The Kenyans and the Ethiopians are really strong – they always have someone coming through.

    “I shouldn’t take it for granted, but at the same time there’s no pressure. I should go out there and hopefully try and win the 10,000m for sure. And then the 5,000m is going to be a little bit tougher, to be honest with you. You never know, anything can happen.”

    Recommended