Of the allegations
At best they are misinformed. At worst they are lying. I told both media outlets that their stories contained false information before they were published. I have now offered evidence that they are false. I hereby demand the BBC and ProPublica immediately publish a retraction of their false statements.
On Galen Rupp
Claims made around Galen’s prednisone use are false. Claims made around Galen’s use of TUEs [therapeutic use exemptions] and manipulation of the TUE system are false. Galen has received only two TUEs in his running career since 2010. Galen is one of the hardest-working, most honest and genuine athletes I have ever known. Galen has never taken a banned substance in violation of the Wada [World Anti-Doping Agency] code.
On the Oregon Project
The Oregon Project will never permit doping and athletes must fully comply with the Wada code and IAAF rules. We proudly embrace science and technology to give our runners every legal means for success and, more importantly, to protect their health and wellbeing. I will never permit doping. Oregon Project athletes must fully comply with the Wada code and IAAF rules. At no time do we use science in violation of the code. Here success is earned with talent, hard work, dedication and fair play and that’s how it is going to stay. Let the haters hate – we’re going to keep winning through hard work, dedication and fair play.
On himself
My drive and determination as an athlete is well known. I pushed myself as far as my body could go. In fact, I trained and ran so hard it nearly killed me and I still suffer today the negative physical effects of my excessive training. I have that same drive and determination as a coach, combined with much more wisdom. I push my athletes to be the best but will not hurt my athletes like I hurt myself.
On the Steve Magness allegations
While Magness makes a number of inflammatory and false statements about the Oregon Project and me personally, at no point does he allege that any doping violations occurred while he was with the Oregon Project. That’s because none did. Magness’ comments to Runner’s World in July 2011 directly contradict what he is now alleging. After a year of research at great expense the BBC and ProPublica journalists fail to mention that. In the BBC/ProPublica stories, Magness claims he left the Oregon Project because his “anxiety was rising” and he was disillusioned about what we were doing. That is not correct. Magness’ contract was terminated.
On Wada rules
I have always fully complied with the Wada code and IAAF rules. I am always extra cautious and take every step to ensure my athletes comply with the anti-doping rules.
On the BBC
Unfortunately Galen and I were the ones these “reporters” decided to damn with their “publish at all costs” philosophy. It is our reputations they have harmed. Innocent athletes’ careers tarnished with nothing but innuendo, hearsay and rumour. Some have tried to console me by saying public attacks like these are the price of success in today’s world. You win [and] people will try to tear you down. That’s not my world.
On use of thyroid and asthma medicine
Athletes are not pushed to take medications. Of 55 athletes only five have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after I had started coaching them. Only eight have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. Claims I have manipulated the test for exercise induced asthma are false, and the testing referenced is standard protocol as any basic research would show.
On TUEs
In the BBC/ProPublica stories and in additional stories I have seen since, a number of people have alleged that I attempt to manipulate the TUE process for Oregon Project athletes. That is completely false. Kara Goucher’s claim that someone can make a couple of statements to a doctor and get a TUE is absurd and demeaning to the TUE processes of Usada and the IAAF. The Usada and IAAF TUE process is very rigorous. Medical doctors must submit substantial medical records to support an athlete’s request for a TUE. The medical professionals at the IAAF and/or Usada then closely scrutinise those documents. It is not a rubber stamp that can be easily manipulated.
