MO FARAH insists he is ‘clean’ after coach Alberto Salazar was caught up in fresh doping allegations.
The Sunday Times published a report leaked by Russian hackers Fancy Bears from USADA claiming Salazar gave SIX top US runners intravenous drip infusions which “almost certainly” broke anti-doping rules.
But four-time Olympic gold medallist Farah has hit back at reports which links him to doping.
He said in a statement: “It’s deeply frustrating that I’m having to make an announcement on this subject.
“I am a clean athlete who has never broken the rules in regards to substances, methods or dosages and it is upsetting that some part of the media, despite the clear facts, continue to try to associate me with allegations of drug misuse.
“I’m unclear as to the Sunday Times‘s motivations toward me but I do understand that using my name and profile makes the story more interesting but it’s entire unfair to make assertions when it is clear from their own statements that I have done nothing wrong.
"As I've said may times before, we all should do everything we can to have a clean sport and it is entirely right that anyone who breaks the rules should be punished.
"However this should be done through proper process and if the USADA or any other anti-doping body has evidence of wrong doing they should punish it and take action rather than allow the media to be judge and jury."
It is alleged Salazar boasted to Lance Armstrong of the "amazing" benefits of chemical L-carnitine before the drug cheat's downfall.
Salazar has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to his work with athletes in his role as head coach at the Nike Oregon Project in Portland.
The leaked USADA report says athletes were given infusions of the L-carnitine, a naturally-produced amino acid prescribed as a supplement for heart and muscle disorders.
It is not a banned substance for athletes but infusions of more than 50 millilitres in a six-hour period are banned.
The Sunday Times says USADA was still investigating the use of L-carnitine by Farah at the time the leaked report was written in March 2016.
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Salazar is reported to have emailed Armstrong: “Lance call me asap! We have tested it and it’s amazing."
It is claimed that the USADA report contains allegations that Salazar gave athletes, including Farah, prescription drugs they had no medical need for in order to aid performance.
For Farah, its is alleged, this included potentially dangerous doses of permitted vitamin D medication to boost his testosterone levels.
The USADA document apparently said that Farah's British doctors intervened over concerns for his health.
It also reportedly says Farah was given an infusion of L-carnitine shortly before his London marathon debut in 2014 from medical staff at UK Athletics, who were advised by Salazar and his staff, with the volume of that infusion is unknown.
UK Athletics, speaking on behalf of the doctor who administered the infusion, said in a statement to the Sunday Times: "To our knowledge, all doses administered and methods of administration have been fully in accordance with WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) approved protocol and guidelines."
The Sunday Times says Farah told them two years ago that he had "tried a legal energy drink" containing L-carnitine, but "saw no benefit" and did not continue with it.
The USADA report also accuses Salazar of looking to impede its investigation.
But the newspaper also claims Salazar said athletes were given L-carnitine in "exactly the way USADA directed".
USADA released a statement on Saturday confirming it had prepared a report "in response to a subpoena from a state medical licensing body regarding care given by a physician to athletes associated with the Nike Oregon Project", and that "a draft of this report was leaked to the Sunday Times by the Russian state-affiliated hacker group known as Fancy Bears".
The statement added: "We understand that the licensing body is still deciding its case and as we continue to investigate whether anti-doping rules were broken, no further comment will be made at this time.
"Importantly, all athletes, coaches and others under the jurisdiction of the World Anti-Doping Code are innocent and presumed to have complied with the rules unless and until the established anti-doping process declares otherwise. It is grossly unfair and reckless to state, infer or imply otherwise."
USADA launched an investigation into Salazar following the Panorama programme in the summer of 2015 and Farah was questioned by its lawyers as part of that investigation.
But it has never announced it has uncovered any evidence of wrongdoing.
Farah said at the time that his name had been "dragged through the mud", but he has remained loyal to Salazar.
The Briton has won four Olympic and five world titles over 5,000 metres and 10,000m since relocating to the United States to link up with Cuban former marathon runner Salazar in 2011.
Farah has already confirmed that this season will be his last as a runner.
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