By: Andy Yu
Silence fills the stadium, *BANG* a loud gunshot rings echoing from each of the walls. Spectators go wild as the runners slowly line up to settle in for the long run. One face in particular stands out: Galen Rupp.
In 2019, the Nike Oregon Project was shut down. The reason? Alberto Salazar, a former running professional turned coach whose doping scandals and sexual assaults may have shadowed the success of his athletes namely Galen Rupp.
At its roots, the Nike Project was started to develop athletes to compete with the dominant East Africans. Galen Rupp, an experienced college runner at the time, joined the project to take his skill sets to the global level. The system worked, Rupp was able to beat East African runners in the biggest events like the Olympics winning him numerous medals and records.
However, in 2019, things began to change. Alberto Salazar, Galen Rupp’s main coach, was indicted of trafficking testosterone and tampering with doping control, leading to a four-year ban from the sport. In the same year, the coach was accused of sexually assaulting and abusing two other runners extending his ban from four years to a permanent removal.
Rupp’s coach disgraceful exit cast a blanket of scrutiny and doubt on Rupp’s previous achievement. Even though he has never tested positive for any use of illegal substance, Rupp’s close relationship with Salazar led to accusations on doping especially since Rupp has remained at the top of his sport for an unbelievably long amount of time.
But can he maintain this level? After the controversy with Salazar, Rupp moved on with a new coach, Mike Smith, the coach at Northern Arizona University. Since leaving Salazar not everything has been smooth riding. Over the past year, Rupp has had chronic back pain and has contracted Covid. Yet, when the gun fires Sunday, he’ll be off to cement his legacy once again.
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