Sitting down to offer some thoughts ahead of his first cross-country race for five years, Farah picked up a newspaper for his fix of Arsenal transfer gossip only to be confronted by the latest tale of doping and corruption dragging the sport further into the gutter.
Mo Farah has strenuously denied ever taking banned substances
No allegations were ever made against Farah but there was an overwhelming sense that the furore tarnished his double gold medal-winning exploits at the World Championships last August.
Despite the US Anti-Doping Agency investigation into Salazar not yet having reached a conclusion, Farah says it is time to move on. He said 2016 “is a big year and a fresh start. I don’t think there is a cloud over me at all. That’s all done as far as I’m concerned, we’ve moved on and I’ve answered every question.
Seb Coe has been backed by Farah
“I’m getting bored of [questions about Salazar]. We’ve had it the whole summer. It’s the same thing as I’ve always said: if anything were proven, I’m the first one out. But other than that, I’ll just continue working hard and keep grafting.”
While Farah looks to put the tribulations of last summer behind him, the ever-darkening cloud engulfing athletics shows no sign of shifting any time soon.
Just two days ago three former high-ranking IAAF figures – including the son of ex-president Lamine Diack – were handed life bans for blackmailing former London marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova and making her pay a bribe to cover up positive drugs tests.
Farah says he is tired of discussing Alberto Salazar
The bad news is due to keep coming next week when the World Anti-Doping Agency’s independent commission delivers the second part of its investigation into the extent of corruption and cover-ups in the sport. As one of the most recognisable athletes in the world, Farah says it is important to do his bit to put the sport in the headlines for the right reasons. “I don’t want to see it,” said Farah of the latest revelations. “But it’s good that they are getting life bans. If anyone is associated with [doping] then give them what they deserve. I want to be able to race against clean athletes.
“We lead by example and we want the same rules [that British athletes adhere to] to apply to other countries.”
Farah is hoping for more glory at the 2016 Olympics
Lord Coe, who succeeded Diack as IAAF president in August, has come under increasing pressure in recent months, with Wada independent commission chairman Dick Pound accusing him of missing the opportunity to address the governing body’s problems during his eight-years as vice-president.
However, Farah backed Coe, saying: “It’s going to take a bit of time but hopefully with Coe stepping in he will do a great job.”
With rain forecast on Saturday and temperatures barely expected to exceed freezing, the Holyrood Park hills are unlikely to provide Farah with a soft opening over the five-mile Great Edinburgh International Cross-Country course. The first battle will simply be to stay warm, says Farah, with a knowing smile aware of the grim conditions that loom.
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét