Doha (AFP)

After the heat and lack of public, a new controversy shakes the Doha World Athletics: the suspension of the famous American coach Alberto Salazar by the anti-doping authorities casts doubt on all his athletes, present en masse in Qatar.

And suddenly, we look from another angle the last supersonic lap crowned by the first world title of Sifan Hassan, Saturday over 10,000 m. The Dutchman, like six other athletes present in Doha, is coached by former coach Mo Farah, suspended Tuesday by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) and ejected manu militari Worlds by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) , who withdrew his accreditation.

Usada announced Monday night an immediate four-year suspension from Salazar, the Oregon Project's mastermind, a top-notch training group based in the northwestern United States. financed by the Nike equipment manufacturer, for "organization and incitement to prohibited doping conduct".

He is accused of trafficking testosterone, injections to his amino acid athletes L-carnitine (a supplement) beyond the authorized doses and attempted opposition to the collection of information by Usada.

In addition to Salazar, the endocrinologist Jeffrey Brown, who worked punctually for his group, was also suspended for four years.

- Medals shoveled -

The blast is huge in the small world of athletics and especially the endurance race: the Oregon Project and its dark skull-shaped banner surmounting white wings, has shaped one of the most beautiful charts. of history, that of British star Mo Farah, quadruple Olympic champion and six-time world champion (5,000 and 10,000 m), and member of the group between 2011 and 2017.

Above all, she reached Doha where the Salazar athletes have already begun to spark: after the title of Sifan Hassan on 10,000 m, the Dutch intends to repeat over 1,500 m, while the Americans Clayton Murphy (Olympic bronze in 2016) and Donovan Brazier are among the favorites in the 800m on Tuesday, ahead of Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (10,000m), Germany's Konstanze Klosterhalfen (5,000m), Australian Jessica Hull (1,500m) American Craig Engels (1,500 m).

Even though no Salazar-trained athlete has ever been tested positive, the affair is already spilling over at the next World Championships in 2021 in Eugene, Oregon, in the very stronghold of Nike equipment maker and its flagship athletics group. .

Alberto Salazar suspended, it is a blow to this trainer of 61 years with the sulfurous reputation, former marathoner to success (three times winner of the marathon of New York, once of Boston in the 1980s), sometimes described as " guru "and controversial for his ability to play with the limits of the rules. He has accumulated success with his athletes since the creation of the Oregon Project in 2001: besides Farah, he has notably led to the success of Americans Galen Rupp (two Olympic medals, silver on 10,000 m in 2012 and bronze marathon in 2016) and Matthew Centrowitz (1500m Olympic champion).

- Salazar will appeal -

In 2017, a US report on Salazar's methods leaked into the press, leading Mo Farah to firmly deny any involvement in any doping system.

"With the Nike Oregon Project, Messrs. Salazar and Brown have proven that winning is more important to them than the health of the athletes they swear to protect," said Usman boss Travis Tygart on Tuesday. the statement of the organization.

Usada claims to have gathered during the investigation "a lot of evidence" including "eyewitness evidence, testimony, e-mail and medical bulletins".

"I am shocked by the decision," Salazar said in a statement, announcing that he will appeal his suspension.In the six years of investigation, my athletes and I have endured unfair, unethical and harmful treatment from Usada ".

"I have always made sure that the World Anti-Doping Code is strictly adhered to, and the Oregon Project never and never will allow doping practice," he said.

© 2019 AFP