Mo Farah Denies Using Performance Enhancing Drugs

British long-distance runner Mo Farah took to Facebook this morning to deny using performance enhancing drugs. His statement follows widespread speculation in the media after it was reported he missed two drug tests before the 2012 Olympic games. It reads as follows:

“I have never taken performance enhancing drugs in my life and I never will. Over the course of my career I have taken hundreds of drugs tests and every single one has been negative. I’ve fully explained the only two tests in my career that I have ever missed, which the authorities understood, and there was never any suggestion that these were anything more than simple mistakes.

The last two weeks have been the toughest of my life – with rumours and speculation about me that are completely false – and the impact this has had on my family and friends has left me angry, frustrated and upset. In particular, the media pressure on my young family and my wife, who is 5 months pregnant, is extremely painful, especially as I’m away training for some important races.

As I made clear, I went to Portland to speak to Alberto Salazar and demand answers. He reassured me that the claims are false and that he will soon be providing evidence to make that clear. Until then I will not be commenting further on the allegations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fans, family, friends and teammates for all the great support they have provided over the last few days and hope that I will now be allowed to focus on my training and winning medals for my country.”

Mo Farah denies using performance enhancing drugs before 2012 Olympic games.

Reaction from fans was mostly positive. Many blamed the media for sensationalizing the story. “Good old press. They build you up and then try to ruin you.” Said one commenter. “We all believe you Mo. One of our greatest. Keep the faith with your fans.”

“Stay strong, your amazing [sic] and the media are the lowest of the low” Said another. “Keep your family [sic] safe, I have your cat [sic] Toby he knows your a legend! Stay strong Mo Farah”.

On Twitter, the comments were also supportive.

It's outrageous that @Mo_Farah has been wrongly criticised for drug use- one of the most inspirational, genuine athletes out there #angry

— Chantal Rose Garman (@ChantalGarman) June 19, 2015

Mo Farah’s missed drug tests is a newsworthy story if written in 2011. 4 years later, subsequent to hitting national fame, is a witch hunt

— Alex Martin (@AlexFGMartin) June 19, 2015

https://twitter.com/Leekbrommers/status/611885963980181504

In light of recent doping scandals, however, some remain skeptical.

https://twitter.com/Danger_expert/status/611886122864656384

Tom Peck, sportswriter for The Independent, lamented the similarities between Farah’s denial and that of Lance Armstrong, who later admited to lying about using PMOs.

Am inclined to believe Mo Farah, but a pity he appears to have copy and pasted his statement from Lance Armstrong pic.twitter.com/sExYqgBB1N

— Tom Peck (@tompeck) June 19, 2015

We asked Tom why he was inclined to believe Farah. His response was straightforward.

@BertrandMedia @SocialNewsDaily innocent til proven guilty and all that.

— Tom Peck (@tompeck) June 19, 2015

British television personality Piers Morgan also chimed in.

I recently spent several hours interviewing @Mo_Farah for a forthcoming #LifeStories show.
I believe him 100% re drugs.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 19, 2015

What do you think? Has Farah been unjustly vilified by the media, or is he just doing a bit of damage control?