NY Times Article on Nike Oregon Project implicates Ritz and Farah

Tara Wellings husband has the same job security as Sean Spicer.

"Salazar has emphatically denied violating antidoping rules. He has said that he and his athletes closely followed all protocols established by antidoping authorities."

As long as there is a line in the sand, someone will always be toeing right up to the edge of it without crossing over. It sounds like that's what Salazar was attempting to do with the infusions.

But after reading the article, I think that the spike in the L-carnitine levels after the infusion is too extreme and wouldn't argue if they claim it is doping.

Having just read the article it is now clearer than clear that, even if nothing in direct breach of the rules was going on, the general approach of Salazar and NOP was such that no runner with any conscience or self respect would want to be linked in any way with the programme.

Much of the details in the article apparently come from sworn statements; if this is true then these revelations cannot be dismissed as something said by individuals who have a personal axe to grind with Salazar, NOP or Nike. As a Brit I look forward to the day when UK Athletics breaks off all connection with Salazar and Nike.

It is important to note that this investigation has been going on since 2015 and all they have are "ALLEGATIONS".

Unless they have a blood test that can show they broke doping laws. They will remain allegations, and nothing will ever happen. Regardless of how much Kara complains.

Interesting. Yes, this is the same report the Times of London (I believe it was them) previously wrote about.

They have some more details included.

The most significant of those details is the allegation that Dr. Brown altered medical records. That is a very serious allegation.

If that could be proven, it is definitely something the Texas medical board would be likely to investigate or sanction, I would think. (such sanctioning might only be a retraining and a fine). I don't see why the Texas Medical Board would or could order the release of records to USADA.

Also, it appears they are saying they have copies of Ritzenheim's medical records that show he received over 45 ml of infusion...or maybe those medical records just don't list an amount, not sure.

That would seem to be as close to a smoking gun as we have heard about.

I'm all for pushing the legal limits. They are set in place for a reason, so I can never fault someone for using them as advantageously as possible. The scrutiny they've been put under most likely would of produced something they could use by now, so these old accusations just look like griping. Keep testing the athletes, often.

FAKE NEWS!!!

Ajguckian wrote:

I'm all for pushing the legal limits. They are set in place for a reason, so I can never fault someone for using them as advantageously as possible. The scrutiny they've been put under most likely would of produced something they could use by now, so these old accusations just look like griping. Keep testing the athletes, often.

If there's a legal limit of 50 mL and they were getting a 1-4 hour infusion and 11000% increase in L-carnitine levels...that doesn't seem like toeing a line anymore.

NOP is going down eventually...or at least Alberto will get the boot.

Tara welling doesnt seem like the brightest lightbulb

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Also, it appears they are saying they have copies of Ritzenheim's medical records that show he received over 45 ml of infusion...or maybe those medical records just don't list an amount, not sure.

That would seem to be as close to a smoking gun as we have heard about.

As we know from Rupp's lab results and testosterone chart, medical records can have typos. Ritz got spiked and had a 45mm contusion.

" "Salazar's conduct here is patently calculating, misleading, and dishonest," the antidoping officials wrote in the report... "

Well boo-effing-hoo. He's either violating doping rules or he isn't. If the L-carnitine infusions violate anti-doping rules, then USADA should do something about it.

And a media campaign against Salazar is not the 'something' they should be doing. It's starting to sound like a personal vendetta at this point.

Rupper Dupper wrote:

" "Salazar's conduct here is patently calculating, misleading, and dishonest," the antidoping officials wrote in the report... "

Well boo-effing-hoo. He's either violating doping rules or he isn't. If the L-carnitine infusions violate anti-doping rules, then USADA should do something about it.

And a media campaign against Salazar is not the 'something' they should be doing. It's starting to sound like a personal vendetta at this point.

No sane human who wants a fair sport can read that report and think that Salazar, in his own words, is above board. It is clear he and his athletes are doing everything he can to skirt the rules. Dopers.

what's supposed to be the worst/most serious allegation here?

the infusions of a legal substance were an illegal 4 hours instead of 1?

it's been clear for over a decade they were probably overeager in their thyroid medications, when the Gouchers both got prescribed with hypothyroidism as soon as moving to Portland.

Did the reporter speak to anyone from NOP directly?

What stands out to me here is the altered medical records, which is wrong in itself, but also shows an intention to coverup a wrongdoing -- particularly the 45ml figure which is way off any reasonable value given the procedure done, and happens to conveniently fall under the 50ml threshold.

matty doperwitz wrote:

Rupper Dupper wrote:

" "Salazar's conduct here is patently calculating, misleading, and dishonest," the antidoping officials wrote in the report... "

Well boo-effing-hoo. He's either violating doping rules or he isn't. If the L-carnitine infusions violate anti-doping rules, then USADA should do something about it.

And a media campaign against Salazar is not the 'something' they should be doing. It's starting to sound like a personal vendetta at this point.

No sane human who wants a fair sport can read that report and think that Salazar, in his own words, is above board. It is clear he and his athletes are doing everything he can to skirt the rules. Dopers.

+1

Farrah isn't mentioned...