|
 Rupp, coached by Salazar, is favored to win both distance races at
the trials, which begin on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon.
The American is scheduled to run the 10,000 meters on the opening
night and the 5,000 on Sunday.
A BBC documentary and a U.S publication last week accused Salazar,
who also coaches British double Olympic champion Mo Farah, of
anti-doping violations and unethical behavior. Farah was not accused
of wrongdoing.
Salazar, in a statement, called the reports "inaccurate and
unfounded journalism". He, Rupp and Farah all have denied using
performance-enhancing drugs.
The coach, a consultant for British Athletics since 2013, has
promised a detailed response that will "show the accusers are
knowingly making false statements", but so far he has not spoken
publicly.
British Athletics are conducting a formal review into the
relationship between Salazar and Farah with a report due in August.
The queries come as Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, who have both
served doping bans, are favored to claim top sprint honors on the
U.S. team for the Aug. 22–30 world championships in Beijing.
Gatlin, who has not lost a sprint final since 2013, has a bye into
the world meet in the 100 as the 2014 Diamond League champion, and
elected to compete in just the 200 in Eugene.
"I think I'll have enough 100s under my belt after nationals on the
European circuit," the year's fastest man at both 100 and 200 meters
said.
His 100m clash with world record holder Usain Bolt in Beijing is
expected to be the highlight of the world championships.
Gay plans to run the 100 in Eugene, then make a decision on the 200.
"I am entered in both as of now," he told Reuters. "If I do well
enough in the 100, I may leave well enough alone and not put the
extra pounding on my body."
[to top of second column] |
Along with Gatlin, 11 other U.S. world and Diamond League champions
have received byes into the world championship.
The top three finishers in each event qualify for the world
championships if they have met qualifying standards.
Veteran Mike Rodgers and newcomers Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell
figure to chase Gay in the 100, while Gay, if he runs, and Isiah
Young, are Gatlin's top 200m challengers.
The men's high hurdles should be a highlight with world champion
David Oliver, Olympic winner and world record holder Aries Merritt
and improving Aleec Harris all competing.
The next world 400 meters hurdles champion could come from the
meeting, with season leader Bershawn Jackson, Johnny Dutch and
Michael Tinsley, the Olympic and world silver medalist, all in the
field.
A major clash also appears in store in the women's 400 with Olympic
200 meters champion Allyson Felix taking on London 400 meters gold
medalist Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena McCorory before deciding
whether to run the 200 or 400 in Beijing.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by
Nick Mulvenney)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
