by Larry Eder
Mo Farah, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mo Farah started his 2014 off with a 2 mile World Best in Birmingham in February, a swift half marathon in Lisbon in March. In May, he battled a field of 18 Kenyans and Ethiopians wanted to kick Mr. Farah’s butt, in Doha. Over the 3,000m distance, Mo took second (May 15, 2015). Two weeks later, Mo Farah won the 10,000m at the Pre Classic in 26:49 in a very tactical race (May 29).
Then, all hell broke loose. At the Birmingham GP on June 8, I asked one of the two (of estimated 30) questions, the rest on doping allegations from BBC Panorama. Mo said several times, ” You guys are killing me.” And he was right, the British media were and still are, on a bit of a feeding frenzy, always noting that there are no claims against Mo Farah, but taking virtually every accusation and comment on Alberto Salazar and giving them credence.
Alberto provided his response on Wednesday, June 24, in a nearly 12,000 word missive, which several very critical observers of Mr. Salazar noted as “pretty impressive.”
Galen Rupp won the 10,000m last night in a thrilling race. Galen, not one to be on social media, did tell the thronging press that he was for a clean sport and that the last few weeks had been trying.
Mo Farah is now getting back to racing, with 5000 meters in Lausanne on July 9 and Monaco on July 17 (a 1,500 meters).
As I heard that some British media were trying to find Mary Cain this weekend and seeing if she would spill the proverbial beans that are needed to make Mo Farah, Galen Rupp and Alberto Salazar scream, I am not sure this will go away.
It is the underlying story and theme on drug cheating in world of sports. Cheaters cheat and lie, and they hide things. Many times, in the search for a story on drug allegations, one is lead down misleading alley ways and turns.
As Toni Reavis noted in his fine piece Salazar fires back, this entire episode, which has been repeated with different names over the past two decades, resembles a witch hunt.
Superb Athletissima: latest name Mo Farah
LAUSANNE (SUI): The organisers have done everything possible to make July 9 an unforgettable night, with no fewer than 12 Olympic champions and 10 World champions confirmed and several events offering a dream lineup for jubilee 40th Athletissima. Plenty of amazing athletics events to enjoy for sold out stadium with 14 000 spectators. Three World record holders Usain Bolt, David Rudisha and Renaud Lavillenie in one meet will be a first in this year’s athletics season. As usual, there will be a strong line-up in 100 m with Justin Gatlin, Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay. In the women’s sprints, the 200m will offer a great dual between the Olympic and triple world champion Allyson Felix and the European champion Dafne Schippers added by Shaunae Miller. Middle distance events will be just as exciting with a prestigious lineup in the 5000 m: Yomif Kejelcha, Hagos Gebrhiwet, Imane Merga and a last minute guest, Mo Farah. The British athlete is the uncontested king of this event will debut at the meet. In the women’s events, the 1500m will gather the three world’s best of this season so far: Jennifer Simpson, Sifan Hassan and Dawit Seyaum added by Abeba Aregawi. With the presence of Pedro Pablo Pichardo and US Christian Taylor the meet record 17.91 will be under threat. In the men’ 400m hurdles, European champion Kariem Hussein will try to stick to the 3 world best athletes this season, Americans Bershawn Jackson, Johnny Dutch and Michael Tinsley. Early in the evening, the women’s discus throw will be the first of several exciting field events with undisputed queen of this event Sandra Perkovic against Cuba World leader Denia Caballero. Also to mention fights like Joe Kovacs and David Storl (shot put), Tero Pitkämäki and Vitezslav Vesely (javelin), Jasmin Stowers and Sharika Nelvis (100m hurdles), Virginia Nyambura and Hiwot Ayalew (3000m steeple), Ruth Beitia and Blanka Vlasic (high jump) and Tianna Bartoletta and Shara Proctor (long jump).
