Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah has parted ways with his coach Alberto Salazar, as the latter faces a US anti-doping investigation. He will relocate to London with his wife Tania and their four children, and begin training under the guidance of Gary Lough, husband and coach of Paula Radcliffe. “I'm not leaving the Nike Oregon Project and Alberto Salazar because of the doping allegations,” Farah said. “This situation has been going on for over two years. If I was going to leave because of that I would have done.”
“As I’ve always said, I’m a firm believer in clean sport and I strongly believe that anyone who breaks the rules should be punished. If Alberto had crossed the line, I would be out the door but Usada has not charged him with anything. If I had ever had any reason to doubt Alberto, I would not have stood by him all this time.” Farah retired from the track after winning gold and silver medals at the London world championships this summer, and will now put his energy on the marathon. A Usada investigation was launched after several former Nike Oregon Project athletes and coaches alleged Salazar had flunked anti-doping rules. It has also been reportedly said that he gave Farah's training partner Galen Rupp, testosterone when he was 16. Salazar has denied all allegations and Farah has always shown him his support.
“I’m leaving simply because my family and I are moving back to London,” Farah said. “We want the kids to grow up in the UK. My decision to move back has nothing to do with UK Athletics. I’ve let them know of my change in coach but they don’t have a role in deciding who that is. I chose to work with Gary over others because I’ve known him for a very long time, since I was 16, and we get on well.”
