NIKE are shutting down the Oregon Project in the wake of head coach Alberto Salazar’s doping ban.
Salazar, 61, has been banned from athletics for four years after being found guilty of doping violations.
Mo Farah worked with Salazar between 2011 and 2017Credit: Alamy
A USADA report, which was released earlier this month, claimed Salazar participated in the administration of a prohibited method, attempted to tamper with the doping control process and he “trafficked” testosterone, a banned substance.
Salazar, a former marathon runner, denies the findings and is set to appeal.
Runner’s World claim to have seen a memo sent by Nike CEO Mark Parker, which called the Salazar “situation” a “distraction” for NOP athletes.
In the memo provided to Runner’s World, Parker writes: “This situation, along with on-going unsubstantiated assertions, is a distraction for many of the athletes and is compromising their ability to focus on their training and competition needs.
“I have therefore made the decision to wind down the Oregon Project.”
Parker added Nike will help current NOP athletes as “they choose the coaching set up that is right for them”.
The NOP’s website and social media channels have also been taken down. The programme had been running since 2001.
Mo Farah worked under Cuban-born Salazar in the US between 2011 and 2017, during which time he won four Olympic gold medals and six world titles on the track.
Farah, 36, will run in the Chicago Marathon this weekend. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing and was not investigated by USADA.
The decision also leaves Dutch-Ethiopian runner Sifan Hassan in a difficult position just a week after she completed the 1500m and 10,000m double at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.
Hassan was trained by Salazar and now has no coach. She has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Japanese long-distance runner Suguru Osako, a member of the NOP, said: “I’m sad that the dear team that made me stronger will be gone.
“But I will keep exploring myself and I will continue being myself.
“As Nike has expressed their commitment to continuing support as they have, my activities will not be disrupted at all.”
Great Britain botch baton change in the 4x400m relay final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
