Parker was reportedly briefed on several occasions about medical experiments regarding PEDsGETTY IMAGES
Nike Chair, President & CEO MARK PARKER sent an email to employees notifying them that the company "did not participate in any effort to systemically dope any runners ever," according to Julie Creswell of the N.Y. TIMES. According to emails contained in a case between USADA and suspended running coach ALBERTO SALAZAR, Parker and other top Nike officials were "briefed on several occasions" between '09-11 regarding "medical experiments being conducted to determine the effects of performance-enhancing drugs and how much of the substances could be used by athletes without being detected." A report shows Parker "took a keen interest in some of the experiments involving a group of elite runners at the Nike Oregon Project." Parker said that the company had "looked into the allegations" against Salazar and "determined that he had violated no rules." Parker has "seemed to quickly move past multiple controversies over the last two years," but the "crisis currently hitting Nike strikes much closer to home" for him (N.Y. TIMES, 10/2). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Germano & Robinson note Parker sent another email in which he "described news accounts as 'highly misleading' and underscored his support" for Salazar. Parker: "I want you to know that when I ask you to Do the Right Thing, I am doing the same myself. I would never condone cheating of any kind in sport or otherwise and I expect you wouldn't either" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/2).
