Are Nike Oregon Project Athletes Culpable For Sticking By Alberto Salazar?

Alberto Salazar has been banned for 4 years *pending his inevitable appeal* and the aura in the Track & Field world has changed on a dime. Prior to USADA making the decision public, the focus had been entirely on the action in Doha but now — in the middle of the World Championships — the conversation has shifted towards the Nike Oregon Project athletes currently in the competition.

It’s a shame too, they didn’t consult me about my content strategy heading into the week… couldn’t you have waited another few days USADA?

In all seriousness, it is unfair timing during the most important meet of the year, or is that the point? I addressed Salazar and the entire decision on an emergency episode of the Running Through It Podcast (embedded below) so I won’t go into it further here but no current NOP athlete in the competition was around during the initial investigation.

Which begs the question, why would you join a group with this much baggage when you knew a ban was a certain possibility? Is the glory of Gold…