Usain Bolt feels 'sorry' for Mo Farah over coach allegations
ByReuters
Updated 24/07/2015 at 16:41 GMT
Usain Bolt has said that he feels sorry for Mo Farah in the wake of doping allegations against his coach Alberto Salazar.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt (R) with Britain's Mo Farah on the podium at the London 2012 Olympics
Image credit: Reuters
Farah has pledged his allegiance to Salazar, who is being investigated by both USADA and UK Anti-Doping over allegations that he has violated doping rules and will run the 3,000m, also on Friday.
Although there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Farah, it has been an uncomfortable few months for the Briton who, after his extraordinary feats on those balmy nights in London three years ago, could apparently do no wrong.
"I've come through the ranks with Mo, so I've seen all the work that he has put in. So for me, I'm sorry for Mo as he's in the papers every day and they are trying to tear him down," Bolt told BBC Sport.
"He works so hard to get where he is for someone's mistakes to be causing him problems.
"So I just hope it doesn't cause him too many problems or stress him out. It is part of the sport, people are always pointing fingers. So I just hope that he doesn't take it too seriously," added the Jamaican.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/07/09/1635868-34715183-2560-1440.jpg)
Mo Farah of Britain finishes the 5000 metres men event at the IAAF Diamond League Athletissima athletics meeting at the Pontaise Stadium in Lausanne, Switzerland, July 9, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
Bolt's suspect hip will come under scrutiny when both return to London's Olympic stadium this weekend.
The two-day so-called Anniversary Games, which incorporates a Diamond League meeting, features a glittering cast but six-times Olympic gold medallist Bolt is the undoubted top of the bill when he goes in the 100m on Friday.
The world record holder has looked a long way from the unbeatable sprinter who elevated track and field above the murky waters of its dope-stained past with stunning 100m/200m doubles at the Beijing and London Olympics.
This season he is yet to dip below 10 seconds in the 100 and missed the recent Jamaican trials with his troublesome hip injury.
Bolt's fitness and speed will be closely monitored a month before the world championships in Beijing when American Justin Gatlin, on fire this season, will be itching to have a crack at him.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/07/09/1635869-34715203-2560-1440.jpg)
Tyson Gay of the U.S., Justin Gatlin of the U.S. and Asafa Powell of Jamaica compete in the 100 meters men event at the IAAF Diamond League Athletissima athletics meeting at the Pontaise Stadium in Lausanne, Switzerland, July 9, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, another with golden Olympic memories, will be guaranteed a warm welcome as she competes in a variety of events, beginning on Friday with the 100m hurdles where she takes on 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson.
Kenya's Olympic champion David Rudisha, who broke the world record en route to 800m gold in the stadium three years ago, lines up over the same distance, while Britain's Greg Rutherford, who joined Farah and Ennis-Hill by winning gold on that "super Saturday", will face a tough rival in American Marquis Dendy in the long jump.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement