Chicago (AFP)

The Chicago marathon, one of the most prestigious on the planet, sank on Sunday in a climate weighed down by the suspension by the anti-doping of coach Alberto Salazar, whose former British student Mo Farah presents himself taking title and favorite.

After shining at the Doha Worlds (5 medals including 3 titles), the athletes stamped "Salazar" could ignite the streets of Chicago: Mo Farah, who left the Nike Oregon Project (NOP) in 2017, faces his ex-partner. American coach Galen Rupp, winner at "Windy city" in 2017, and historical member of the NOP.

The small elite group in the northwestern United States, funded by Nike equipment maker, is in turmoil since the suspension last week for four years of its mastermind, Alberto Salazar, for "organization and incentive to banned doping conduct "after six years of investigation by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada).

Salazar is accused of trafficking testosterone, injecting a trainer of a supplement beyond the authorized doses (during a test) and attempting to tamper with evidence in the Usada investigation, but none of his athletes have ever been tested positive.

Nike maker, splashed by the report, which shows that his CEO was aware of Salazar's experiences with testosterone in particular, announced Friday that he stopped the fee. The US giant ended the Oregon Project, while denying any doping and supporting his fallen coach who announced he would appeal.

- "Relieved" -

Favorite Sunday, British star Mo Farah left the controversial group in 2017 after having gleaned four Olympic titles and six world titles over 5,000 and 10,000 m.

"I am relieved that (the US Anti-Doping Agency), after 4 years, has completed its investigation of Alberto Salazar (...) I always said that I had no tolerance towards those who violate the regulations that cross the border. line, "Farah said, successfully passed from track to road for two years.

First consequences of the case, the technical director of the British athletics Neil Black, very close to Farah, announced Tuesday that he would resign at the end of the month, whereas he had qualified Salazar of "genius" after having him entrusted a consultant position to the federation in 2013.

The streets of Chicago, where the weather looks cool (about 10 degrees) but mild, could offer a duel "made in Salazar" between Mo Farah (36), winner in 2018 in 2 h 05 min 11 (new record of Europe) and American Galen Rupp (33), winner in 2017 (2:09:20) and bronze medalist in distance at the Rio Games in 2016.

Kenyan Lawrence Cherono (victorious in Boston this year) and Ethiopian Asefa Mengstu (2nd in Paris in April) have the best time of the entries on 42.195 km with records of 2 h 04 min 06 sec.

The shadow of Salazar also hangs over the women's race with the presence of the American Jordan Hasay, member of the NOP, 3rd best time of the entries (2h20: 57) and already winner in Chicago and Boston in 2017. The defending title Kenyan Brigid Kosgei (record in 2:18:20), however, favorite.

© 2019 AFP