MO Farah has defended his coach, Alberto Salazar, against doping allegations made by a BBC television programme.
Farah's training partner Galen Rupp, silver medallist behind the Briton in the 10,000 metres at the 2012 London Olympics, has protested his innocence too, and the Nike company have added their weight to the defence.
Nike set up the Oregon Project, where Salazar is head coach, to help promote American distance running. Farah, who moved there in 2011 to work with Salazar, insisted yesterday that the activities there were always in compliance with World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.
"I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance," Farah said. "From my experience, Alberto and the Oregon Project have always strictly followed Wada rules and if there is ever a question seek guidance from Usada [the United States Anti-Doping Agency] to ensure they are correctly interpreting Wada's rules."
Nike said that Salazar denies the allegations made against him in the BBC programme, which claimed he had violated anti-doping rules through the use of banned steroids such as testosterone and unethical practices. The Panorama documentary alleged that Salazar was involved in doping Rupp more than a decade ago. Rupp has also denied the claims.
"We take the allegations very seriously as Nike does not condone the use of performance enhancing drugs in any manner," the company said in a statement. "Both Alberto and Galen have made their perspectives clear and fully refute the allegations made against them."
Wada director general David Howman told Press Association Sport there may be sufficient evidence for his organisation to investigate Salazar over drug allegations and confirmed they were seeking the full footage of the Panorama programme. Howman said he was ''disturbed and very disappointed'' when the BBC showed him the results of Rupp's blood chart.
Speaking from Wada headquarters in Montreal, Howman said: "We are trying to get access to the BBC footage in Canada.
"I do not know how easy that will be - but that's what we are undertaking at the moment.
''It's probably sensible not to say too much until we have seen the footage of the programme, but if the allegations are as serious as they have been reported then they need to be investigated beyond a national level.''
Salazar, a former long distance runner himself who won prestigious marathons in New York and Boston, says his coaching philosophy involves intensive training and the use of the latest scientific techniques.
On the claims, he said: "Allegations your sources are making are based upon false assumptions and half-truths in an attempt to further their personal agendas.
''I believe in a clean sport and a methodical, dedicated approach to training and have never, nor ever will, endorsed the use of banned substances with any of my athletes.''
Rupp, one of America's most drug tested athletes, strenuously denies ever using testosterone or testosterone medication.
''I am completely against the use of performance enhancing drugs,'' said the 29-year-old American record 10,000m holder.
''I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance.''
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