US runner Cain sues Salazar, Nike over years of abuse

US runner Cain sues Salazar, Nike over years of abuse

She claims an unhealthy environment derailed her career and led to suicidal thoughts.

Cain joined Salazar in 2013 at the Nike Oregon Project as a teenage prodigy. (AP pic)
NEW YORK:
Middle-distance runner Mary Cain has sued Alberto Salazar and Nike for US$20 million, alleging years of abuse by the coach while training at the company’s now-shuttered athletics programme, according to The Oregonian and other media.

Cain joined Salazar in 2013 at the Nike Oregon Project as a teenage prodigy but told the New York Times in 2019 she was pushed to achieve an unhealthy weight in an abusive environment that derailed her career and led her to have suicidal thoughts.

The Oregonian reported that Cain, now 25, filed her lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Monday, claiming that Nike was aware of the abuse she detailed and did not intervene.

Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Cain’s attorney.

Attempts by The Oregonian and Reuters to contact Salazar were unsuccessful.

He has previously denied allegations of abuse.

Nike shut down its Nike Oregon Project in 2019 after Salazar was banned for four years by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) after he was found guilty of possessing testosterone and tampering with the doping control process.

Salazar, who won three consecutive New York City Marathons from 1980 and has since has coached some of the world’s top long-distance runners, had his suspension upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September.

The US Center for SafeSport barred the coach permanently from track and field in July, citing sexual and emotional misconduct.

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