The controversial United states company, which sponsors the Nike Oregon Project in Portland where Salazar trains a group which includes Britain’s world and Olympic 5000 and 10,000 metres  champion Mo Farah - against whom there have been no allegations - stressed that the coach and Rupp, the silver medallist behind Farah in the London 2012 10,000m, had refuted any suggestions of wrongdoing.

"We take the allegations very seriously as Nike does not condone the use of performance enhancing drugs in any manner," said the statement from Nike, who also used to sponsor disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

"Both Alberto and Galen have made their perspectives clear and fully refute the allegations made against them."

The documentary  - a joint venture between the BBC and the US website ProPublica - was entitled "Catch Me If You Can" and carried statements from athletes and staff formerly at the Nike Oregon Project alleging that Salazar had engaged in activities verging from sharp practice to illegality with regard to attempting to find an “edge” for certain athletes.

There were specific allegations that Rupp had taken testosterone while at high school, and implications that he may have been using testosterone cream in 2008.

There were specific allegations that Rupp had taken testosterone while at high school, and implications that he may have been using testosterone cream in 2008.

Salazar and Rupp made further statements after the airing of the BBC programme, criticising its “sensationalism and innuendo”.

Salazar's statement read: "I believe in a clean sport and hard work, and so do my athletes.

"Apparently that is not interesting enough for some.

“I am very disappointed that the BBC and ProPublica and their 'reporters' have allowed themselves to be used by individuals with agendas and have engaged in such inaccurate and unfounded journalism.

“Rather than present the facts, they opted for sensationalism and innuendo.

"It is particularly sad that they have attacked Galen and his excellent reputation, which he has earned through years of hard work."

Rupp's statement reads: "I am very disappointed in the BBC and ProPublica.

"I am dedicated to clean sport and have worked extemely hard for every accomplishment in my running career.

“I expressly told these reporters that these allegations were not true and their sources admit they have no evidence, yet they print 'suspicions' attacking me and sullying my reputation.

"That is inexcusable, irresponsible journalism."

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) director general David Howman claimed there may be sufficient evidence for his organisation to investigate Salazar over drug allegations and confirmed they were seeking the full footage of the BBC programme.

Howman said he was ''disturbed and very disappointed'' when the BBC showed him the results of Rupp's blood chart.

Speaking from WADA's headquarters in Montreal, Howman said: "We are trying to get access to the BBC footage in Canada.

"I do not know how easy that will be - but that's what we are undertaking at the moment.

''It's probably sensible not to say too much until we have seen the footage of the programme, but if the allegations are as serious as they have been reported then they need to be investigated beyond a national level.''

Salazar works with UK Athletics on an honorary consultancy basis which does not involve the use of any Lottery money, the governing body in Britain claimed.

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June 2015: Mo Farah's coach Alberto Salazar and training partner Rupp accused of doping