Mo Farah insists he'd sever Alberto Salazar ties if guilty

Carl Markham 04:52 01/07/2015
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  • Defiant: Mo Farah.

    Double Olympic champion Mo Farah claims doping allegations against coach Alberto Salazar are “killing” him but admits he would sever all ties with the American should he be found guilty.

    The middle-distance runner insists it is not fair he is being accused by association, insisting he is “100 per cent clean”, but believes Salazar is entitled to be treated as innocent until found otherwise.

    On hearing of the allegations, Farah flew out to his Oregon training base to demand answers and has welcomed investigations by UK Anti-doping and USADA.

    “I am not on anything, trust me,” he said. “To be labelled something you are not and labelled a cheat is not fair and right: if I am a cheat prove I am a cheat or leave me alone. Prove I am crossing the line.

    “Let’s get to the bottom of this. It is killing me, killing my family. UK Anti-doping and USADA need to get on top of this and deal with it properly as it is overshadowing athletics.

    “They are just allegations. If there is wrongdoing I will be the first person to run (away) but you have to give people a chance in life and the benefit of the doubt.”

    UK Anti-Doping confirmed on Monday it is investigating the doping allegations surrounding Salazar, who has denied the claims. Farah admits he was stunned when the allegations came to light and immediately jumped on a plane to quiz Salazar in Portland.

    “I was shocked. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I am the first person to say ‘Look, what’s going on?’ I wanted answers,” he added.

    “I work so hard for what I do. It has taken me half of my life to achieve what I achieved and for people to think I am taking a shortcut is not right. I am 100 per cent clean. I want to continue winning medals but I want people to know I am 100 per cent clean and am not on any drugs.

    “I said ‘You need to assure me’. He said ‘Mo, I am working on this, I will come out and disprove these allegations. These are just allegations and I can prove this to you’.”

    Farah reiterated, however, that should Salazar be found guilty he would not hesitate to cut all ties immediately.

    “Alberto has coached me and helped me; there is no question I have won medals with Alberto,” he said. “But if he has crossed the line and is proven to have done so then I am out, trust me.”

    Meanwhile, Usain Bolt last night pulled out of the next two Diamond League meetings with a leg injury but insisted he would be fit for August’s World Championships.

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