• Farah denies move linked to US anti-doping investigation into Salazar • ‘I’m leaving simply because we want the kids to grow up in the UK’

Mo Farah has parted ways with his controversial coach Alberto Salazar but denied the split was because of a US anti-doping investigation into the Nike Oregon Project leader.

The four-time Olympic champion will relocate to London with his wife Tania and their four children and begin training under the guidance of Gary Lough, husband and coach of Paula Radcliffe.

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“I’m not leaving the Nike Oregon Project and Alberto Salazar because of the doping allegations,” Farah told the Sun, “This situation has been going on for over two years. If I was going to leave because of that I would have done.

“As I’ve always said, I’m a firm believer in clean sport and I strongly believe that anyone who breaks the rules should be punished. If Alberto had crossed the line, I would be out the door but Usada has not charged him with anything. If I had ever had any reason to doubt Alberto, I would not have stood by him all this time.”

Farah, 34, retired from the track after winning gold and silver medals at the London world championships this summer and will now focus on the marathon. All of Farah’s major championship successes have been achieved since he moved to the USA to work with Salazar in 2011 but a BBC documentary, which aired in 2015, called the Cuban-born coach’s methods into serious question.

A Usada investigation was launched after several former Nike Oregon Project athletes and coaches alleged Salazar had flouted anti-doping rules including giving Farah’s training partner, Galen Rupp, testosterone when he was 16. Salazar has always vehemently denied the allegations and Farah has given him unwavering support.

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“I’m leaving simply because my family and I are moving back to London,” said Farah. “We want the kids to grow up in the UK. My decision to move back has nothing to do with UK Athletics. I’ve let them know of my change in coach but they don’t have a role in deciding who that is.

“I chose to work with Gary [Lough] over others because I’ve known him for a very long time – since I was 16 – and we get on well.”