On the one hand, I don't doubt that he has been the victim of racist journalism in his time. On the other hand, his argument here looks thin. I hope he isn't a doper but his association with Salazar has to be at least suspect.
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Mo Farah speaks out about doping accusations: "There's a clear agenda to this..." [racism]
- Thread starter Geoff
- Start date
On the one hand, I don't doubt that he has been the victim of racist journalism in his time. On the other hand, his argument here looks thin. I hope he isn't a doper but his association with Salazar has to be at least suspect.
I like Farah but you work for several years with a coach who was banned for doping offences and you're clearly going to be questioned, rightly or wrongly. I'm not sure how much you can really put down to racism.
OP
OP
I think he's just referring to the way the UK tabloid press talk about Hamilton and Sterling, publishing negative stories about their lifestyles in a way they wouldn't with white sportsmen.
He gets criticised for having fun away from F1 whereas the older British F1 drivers were celebrated for drowning in drink and women. Lewis gets shit for changing his hair style and hanging around with other black people. "He's too distracted, needs to take F1 more seriously". You don't hear it so much now he's proved he's one of the greatest of all time.
I believe similar for Sterling.
That said, Mo has been associated with Salazar for a long time so there is a non race factor to some of the accusations. I won't deny it's a factor though, I feel the British press would be more inclined to defend if he was white.
I don't think the press has ever actually went after Mo for his lifestyle, have they? Maybe at the very start of his career when he freely admits he was a bit of a lad but then he wasn't exactly a household name.
There's no two ways around it, his long association with Salazar is problematic, and truthfully it was problematic at the time as well but ignored.
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AFAIK, the press have always been kind to Mo - at least I don't remember much negativity. I could be wrong though, I don't read those papers. I think he's right that black sportsmen don't always get a fair shake, Sterling and Hamilton being good examples. Raising that here though without really addressing the valid concerns about his relationship with Salazar does not look great imo.
I'd be absolutely gutted if it ever came out that Mo was doping, always loved watching his races. He's kidding himself if he doesn't think his association with salazar is suspicious at best.
Loved Mo the runner but never, ever took to Mo the person. Always something about him that annoyed me, even during the 2012 Olympics hysteria.
He's only missed two drug tests in 2010/ 2011. Wasn't uncommon at the time, especially with the way the anti-doping agency in the UK works.
Unless Salazar rats him out... He'll be fine.
Unless Salazar rats him out... He'll be fine.
Sure he has had racist abuse, no doubt but he is pretty much loved by the press and people over the years. His association is suspect as it is with all other athletes and teams that are associated with him, he is amazingly successful so it's a given. Not saying he is like Armstrong but there is an aura, a level, size you reach that can save you, it happens and will happen again.
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I've never seen him speak outside of congratulatory brief chats at the roadside post-win. He comes across as someone desperatley trying to deflect a question that is making him noticeably more animated as he realises it isn't going away. Of course this could entirely be down to him wanting to keep his focus, but there's an 'empty jar on its side and crumbs everywhere' vibe.
I mean, usually when there are doping allegations they turn out to be true, whatever skin color the person has.
I always got the impression from the UK press the push Mo Farrah as the great unifyer. The good muslim, which is of course racist but in a diffferent way than he implies.
If he was doing any other discipline than the marathon I'd be convinced he was on something, I had the feeling that the marathon was more ... honest. Probably massively naive on my part.
If he was doing any other discipline than the marathon I'd be convinced he was on something, I had the feeling that the marathon was more ... honest. Probably massively naive on my part.
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I guess there aren't really any accusations per se against Mo. No-one is saying they saw him dope, there are no bad tests, most of it is just his association with Salazar (there is some other stuff too but can't remember what it is).
Him and Bradley Wiggins will both have their medals and knighthoods taken away from them in the near future. When it comes to doping in sport there is no smoke without fire.
It was in 2011 that Farah's career exploded and it coincided exactly with him moving to Oregon to work with Salazar. I do not believe for one second that he set so many records and won so many medals by working with Salazar and not doping. Doping was Salazar's business.
It was in 2011 that Farah's career exploded and it coincided exactly with him moving to Oregon to work with Salazar. I do not believe for one second that he set so many records and won so many medals by working with Salazar and not doping. Doping was Salazar's business.
