Neil Black to leave role as UK Athletics performance director after Alberto Salazar’s doping ban

Black will still oversee Sir Mo Farah’s involvement in the Chicago Marathon as planned this weekend

Jack Rathborn
Tuesday 08 October 2019 15:52 BST
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Neil Black will stand down as UK Athletics performance director at the end of October
Neil Black will stand down as UK Athletics performance director at the end of October (Getty)

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Neil Black is to stand down as UK Athletics performance director at the end of October, the governing body has announced.

Black had said he would review his position after coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Black will still oversee Sir Mo Farah‘s involvement in the Chicago Marathon as planned this weekend.

A statement from UK Athletics read: “UK Athletics have announced that Neil Black will leave his role as performance director at the end of October.

“Neil will commence a detailed handover with performance staff until his departure and will fulfil his role supporting Mo Farah at this weekend’s Chicago marathon.”

Salazar’s violations included ‘administration of a prohibited method’
Salazar’s violations included ‘administration of a prohibited method’ (PA)

Black reiterated his stance over Farah, who has never failed a drugs test in his career.

“Nothing at all has changed in terms of my belief regarding Mo Farah,” Black said.

“It is important to repeat that the British Athletics and the medical and support teams were always the people who were always on top of and managing and directing the care of Mo Farah, so we have no concerns.”

PA Sport contributed to this report

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