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Alberto Salazar barred from World Championships after drug ban

The status of athletes linked to Alberto will not be affected by the coach’s suspension.

Alberto Salazar barred from World Championships after drug ban

(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 21, 2015 Cuban-American coach Alberto Salazar attends a practice session ahead of the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing. - The World Athletics Championships was rocked by a drugs scandal on October 1, 2019 after top coach Alberto Salazar was banned for doping, dealing a fresh body blow to the image of track and field at the sport's showpiece event. Salazar, best known for coaching Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, was handed a four-year ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a catalogue of drugs violations. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Top running coach Alberto Salazar was barred from the World Athletics Championships on Tuesday following his four-year doping ban, officials confirmed.

In a statement following news of Salazar’s suspension, the United States Track and Field Federation said it had moved to have the 61-year-old coach stripped of his credentials for Doha.

“USATF has taken the steps necessary to have Mr. Salazar’s IAAF World Championships accreditation deactivated,” the USATF said in a statement emailed to AFP.

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An IAAF spokesperson later confirmed that Salazar’s credentials for the championships have been revoked.

“USATF’s commitment to clean sport and a level playing field for all athletes cannot be overstated,” the US federation added.

“USATF’s focus remains on the health and well-being of its athletes.” Alberto was not a part of the US track and field team competing in Doha, but several athletes from his Nike Oregon Project stable are competing at the championships.

The status of athletes linked to Alberto will not be affected by the coach’s suspension.

Salazar, best known as the long-time coach of Britain’s four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, coached the Netherland’s Ethiopian-born Sifan Hassan to the women’s 10,000 meters gold on Saturday.

Hassan is also expected to take part in either the 1,500m or 5,000m later this week.

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