Italy’s Jacobs “reduce ties” in March with health skilled concerned in steroid probe

0
416

Italian Marcell Jacobs, who won gold in the 100 meters and 4 x 100 meters in the men, cut ties with fitness expert Giacomo Spazzini in March after reports of a police investigation into the distribution of anabolic steroids were reported, his agent confirmed.

Marcello Magnani, who represents the 26-year-old former long jumper who is now at the top of the sprinting world, categorically denied that his athlete had ever taken performance-enhancing medication.

Magnani told The Telegraph that his athlete cut ties with Spazzini when he heard about the investigation.

Jacobs set a European record with 9.80 seconds when he became the surprising Olympic champion over 100 m.

He ran the second leg for the Italian team who beat Great Britain by a hundredth of a second to sprint relay gold.

Jacobs had never run the 100m under 10s until May of this year.

He became known by winning the European indoor championship title in March in an Italian record of 6.47 seconds.

Spazzini is a bodybuilder and fitness advisor who has previously given interviews about his role in helping Jacobs.

In a statement to The Telegraph, Magnani said, “I can confirm that Marcell stopped working with Giacomo Spazzini in March as soon as he found out about the investigation.”

Jacobs, a native American, serves as a policeman in Brescia.

Marcell Jacobs won 100m gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 9.80 seconds before adding 4m x 100m relay gold © Getty ImagesMarcell Jacobs won 100m gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 9.80 seconds before adding 4m x 100m relay gold © Getty Images

A spokesman for local police in Milan told the Times that the investigation into Operation Muscle Bound “did not affect athlete Marcell Jacobs.”

He reportedly confirmed that the investigation was investigating alleged links between “nutritionist Giacomo Spazzini and an unnamed person accused of providing illegally obtained growth hormones and anabolic steroids”.

Spazzini was quoted in the Libero Quotidiano newspaper last week talking about his collaboration with the double Olympic champion.

In a statement, Spazzini’s lawyer Stefano D’Apolito told the Times: “At the request of my client Giacomo Spazzini, I am writing the following about stories that have appeared in various publications in the past few days.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to make it clear that the athlete Jacobs was supported – until the month of March – by medical professionals from the center that my client runs as the business owner.

“He is not a nutritionist and has never done the kind of job the center offers its clients through specialists.

“As far as the contact between my client and Jacobs is concerned, it is based on a friendly relationship.

“Finally, I would like to make it clear that in the criminal proceedings in which Spazzini is being investigated, elements of evidence emerged in the course of these investigations that release my client from any responsibility.

“I therefore trust that my client will be acquitted in the pre-litigation phase.”

Antonio La Torre, head coach of the Italian track and field team, said Jacobs can run even faster.

La Torre said, “With his infinite talent, I dare say he’s a man who can run close to 9.70 – or maybe even faster.”