Usain Bolt has declared his sympathy for Mo Farah, in the wake of doping allegations against coach Alberto Salazar.
Both athletes will be fighting against issues at this weekends Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on 24 July, with Bolt struggling with injury and Farah aware of the whispers behind his back.
Ive come through the ranks with Mo, so Ive seen the work that hes put in. For me Im sorry for Mo, because everyday I hear in the papers theyre trying to tear him down. I think he works so hard.
To get where he is, for somebodys mistake to be causing him problems, for me I just really hope that he doesnt take it too seriously and it doesnt stress him out. Its part of the sport, people like to point fingers sometimes.
The pair share an agent in Ricky Simms and Bolt said hes reached out to Farah through Simms.
The Jamaican added: When you come through difficult times like this you dont try to get into someones personal space too much. Ive relayed messages to Ricky, Ive talked to Ricky to see where his head space is at.
He says hes okay, hes just trying to focus on the championships and training hard. I know Ill see him this weekend so we can talk.
Farah, who will defend his world titles in Beijing next month, is standing by Salazar, whom he has worked with since 2011 and who helped transform him from a European champion to the global king of distance running.
Bolt says he can understand his decision.
When you have confidence in your coach over the years and you know who he is as a person, of course youre going to want to support him as an athlete, he commented. If he believes in his coach, I believe in him.
