Olympic champion Allan Wells denies doping allegation ‘slur’

The former British track and field sprinter won the 100 metres in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow and four Commonwealth gold medals during his career.

A BBC Panorama programme, which was broadcast on Wednesday, claims that Wells used performance-enhancing steroids that were given to him by the former Great Britain team doctor, Jimmy Ledingham.

The allegations were made to the BBC by Wells’ former sprint team mate Drew McMaster and two others who remained anonymous. The programme showed secretly recorded exchanges between McMaster and Dr Ledingham discussing if steroids were supplied to Wells and how to avoid a positive test.

Doping allegations

McMaster, who confessed to taking steroids in 1995, said Dr Ledingham told him, “he [Wells] was taking stuff from all over the place, not just from me … everybody knew Wells took drugs.”

Wells has spoken out against drugs cheats and previously attacked McMaster for speaking publicly of doping, accusing him of smears.

Wells has responded to the allegations which first emerged last week saying her could never have taken drugs.

“I just could not have lived with myself. Once again I find myself having to publicly deny these false and malicious rumours about doping. It’s been unexpected and has been difficult to deal with. It’s frustrating. If I didn’t defend myself it could severely damage my reputation,” he said.

“These allegations go back more than 20 years and have resurfaced at regular intervals. I strenuously denied any involvement in doping at the time and I will continue to do so. I can look back with substantial pride on my achievements.”

There is no evidence that Wells failed a drug test in his career.

Violating drug laws

The programme, called Catch Me If You Can, also claims that Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar has been violating international drug laws.

The allegations claim the top distance running coach was involved in doping American Galen Rupp who was second behind Farah at the 10,000 metres during the 2012 London Olympics.

There is no suggestion that Mo Farah has broken any rules or taken any banned substances. He told the BBC, “I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance.”

There were also allegations that Salazar, who runs the Nike Oregon Project, has been giving Rupp the banned anabolic steroid testosterone. Both Salazar and Rupp have denied any wrongdoing.

Salazar, who won the New York marathon three years in a row between 1980 and 1982 and was also a Boston marathon winner, has worked with Farah since 2011 and has coached Rupp for 14 years.