Running Pros Respond On Twitter To Nike Oregon Project Doping Allegations
by: LetsRun.com
June 4, 2015
Below we have some of the reactions from top pros and industry people on the Pro Publica/ BBC allegations of possible anti-doping violations by the Nike Oregon Project and coach Alberto Salazar.
We saw tweets from fans saying they still believed in the Nike Oregon Project but the only tweet we saw from a prominent athlete trying to diminish the allegations came from Nike Oregon Project member and World Championship 1500m silver medallist Matt Centrowitz who tweeted out this:
— Matthew Centrowitz (@MattCentrowitz) June 3, 2015
Matt may be clean, but alleged anti-doping violations by his coach and from a Nike sponsored lab are the farthest thing from a yawning matter.
Matt even got into a little of a twitter war with Nick Willis after the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Willis tweeted this:
Thank you @BBCMarkDaly for providing a safe platform for @karagoucher and @stevemagness to share their stories.
— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) June 3, 2015
and this:
If elites don't want performances questioned, avoid any potential bad associations – Coaches, doctors and agents. Simple really.
— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) June 3, 2015
Centro being Centro had a funny reply:
@nickwillis your agent is Mark Wetmore who represents Tyson Gay, no?
— Matthew Centrowitz (@MattCentrowitz) June 3, 2015
It was refreshing to see a few Nike athletes speak out showing their concern as hopefully Nike will stand for clean sport and investigate the allegations.
Paula Radcliffe, the world’s greatest female distance runner and a Nike athlete, said this:
Very disturbing allegations tonight. Worrying that Blood Passport increasingly relied on by our sport apparently still has a long way to go
— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) June 3, 2015
Lots of issues needing further investigation thrown up. #cleansport #WADA
— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) June 3, 2015
Dai Greene, a Nike athlete and 2011 World 400m Hurdle Champion, Had a Lot of Tweets on This. Here are Two:
I wonder how many professional athletes are genuinely surprised by the news coming out about Alberto Salazaar
— Dai Greene (@DaiGreene) June 3, 2015
Please read this. Thanks to @karagoucher for speaking out http://t.co/0byfhMqliX
— Dai Greene (@DaiGreene) June 3, 2015
2003 World 400m Champion Tyree Washington
https://twitter.com/TyreeSWash/status/606335315003858944
Sports Illustrated Reporter Tim Layden
Regarding Oregon Project/Salazar investigation, I've never worked with a reporter I trust more than @DavidEpstein . https://t.co/WVFny4gBv1
— Tim Layden (@ByTimLayden) June 3, 2015
US Steeplechase Record Holder Emma Coburn
#CatchMeIfYouCan thank you @karagoucher for brining brave enough to share your experience. http://t.co/ONK9j05RVz
— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) June 3, 2015
US Pro Lauren Fleshman
Alberto Salazar and @OregonPJT accused of some pretty serious things by some very brave people I respect. https://t.co/wXX5AnHjKf
— Lauren Fleshman (@laurenfleshman) June 3, 2015
US Marathoner Stephanie Rothstein
Start questioning, speak up: athletes, race directors, agents. We can't afford "prescription" cheating BS. Thx @karagoucher @stevemagness.
— Stephanie Bruce (@Steph_Rothstein) June 3, 2015
Former World XC and Half Marathon Champ Lornah Kiplagat
Am so extremely disappointed with the news on Salazar / Nike Oregon project. Will this madness never stops ? Please grow up #DrugCheatsOut
— Lornah Kiplagat (@lornahkiplagat) June 4, 2015
Former NYRR Head Mary Wittenberg
@DavidEpstein just catching up on news of day. Disturbing.
— Mary Wittenberg (@marywitt) June 4, 2015
Yale’s finest:
https://twitter.com/fastk8/status/606157716973707264
British Ultra Runner Robbie Britton
Interesting stuff on #BBCPanorama #CatchMeIfYouCan.
I wonder if #Mo picked coach w/ same standards as his friends… pic.twitter.com/HMWLwjXjeV
— Robbie Britton (@ultrabritton) June 3, 2015
Some athletes retweeted or favorited things or were a little less direct.
American steeplechase record holder Evan Jager favorited this:
Retweet if you support a clean sport. #stopdope https://t.co/gbhLDQJvEA pic.twitter.com/on0HK6Z6Sg
— Tracksmith (@tracksmith) June 3, 2015
American 1500m/5ker Nicole Tully
In honor of #NationalRunningDay we climbed a fence to get into a cold pool #cleansport pic.twitter.com/hDySlu0ozY
— Nicole Tully (@NicoleSchappert) June 4, 2015
2013 Worlds 800m Silver Medallist Nick Symmonds
Then you'll always be happy! All I take is a multivitamin and beer. Oh and I shower a lot! 😀 https://t.co/3ReGU2ggyQ
— Nick Symmonds (@NickSymmonds) June 3, 2015
If you’ve got more tweets, feel free to email us or post them in this thread.