Mo Farah: no comment on Salazar doping allegations

Some of the best athletes in the world are arriving in Birmingham, ahead of this Sunday’s Grand Prix event in the city, writes Channel 4 News Home Affairs Correspondent Darshna Soni. The event has been promoted by organising body British Athletics with posters declaring “Mo’s Coming to Birmingham!”

But sadly the athletics have been over-shadowed by allegations of doping involving Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar. Mr Salazar denies wrongdoing. At a press conference this morning, it was one of main questions the journalists wanted to ask about.

Mo Farah himself wasn’t there and we were told he will formally respond tomorrow. But we bumped into him in the city, and tried to ask him what he had made of the allegations. Farah hasn’t talked on camera about it yet. The allegations do not involve Farah, but some have called on him to drop his coach and mentor, believing his reputation may suffer.

Certainly the reputation of athletics has been hit, on what should be a proud moment for Birmingham in hosting such a prestigious event. Many I spoke to here are dismayed.

There is a buzz about him being in Birmingham, and we tried to ask him to respond. In the end, he wouldn’t comment, telling us “I’m not here to talk about that.” He told us he will address the issue at a press conference tomorrow – he knows he will not be able to stay silent for much longer.