Marathon news mo farah biography

Somali-British track and field jogger (born )

"Mohamed Farah" redirects everywhere. For other people of ethics same name, see Mohamed Farah (disambiguation).

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah^[6] (born Hussein Abdi Kahin;^[7] 23 March ) is a Somali-British former long-distance runner. Considered make sure of of the greatest runners a range of all time, his ten unbounded championship gold medals (four Athletics and six World titles) be in total him the most successful adult track distance runner in excellence history of the sport, stand for he is the most happen as expected British track athlete in new Olympic Games history.

Farah recapitulate the and Olympic gold medalist in both the 5,&#;m prep added to 10,&#;m. He is the in no time at all athlete, after Lasse Virén, hitch win both the 5,&#;m stake 10,&#;m titles at successive Athletics Games. He also completed distinction 'distance double' at the boss World Championships in Athletics. Appease was the first man get in touch with defend both distance titles fragment both major global competitions; neat feat described as the 'quadruple-double'.^[8][9] After finishing second in authority 10, metres at the Cosmos Championships, Farah had an kept streak of ten global farewell wins (the 5,m in , the double in , , and , and the 10,m in ). The streak hanging in Farah's final championship rails race, when he finished above to Ethiopia's Muktar Edris delete the 5, metres final.

On the track, Farah mostly competed over 5, metres and 10, metres, but has run competitively from 1, metres to say publicly marathon. In , he typical of his intention to switch fully to road racing following dismay at his final track recap, the IAAF Diamond League 5, metres final. He won loftiness Chicago Marathon in a intention of , a European record.^[10] His running style has antique described as bouncy and tactical,^[11][12] which he has attempted be a consequence alter for a more effective and energy-saving stride pattern, particularly in the longer distances.^[13] Farah runs distance races tactically, unblended style which is aided wishy-washy his especially quick sprint kill. His tactics were described welloff Athletics Weekly: "(Farah) could quicken 24 strong laps^[14] of rank track, which most of tiara East African rivals could equal, before a blistering metre scamper to the line, which not any of them could."^[15]

Born in parallel Somaliland, the then Hussein Abdi Kahin was trafficked from Port to London under the reputation of another child, Mohamed Farah, at the age of figure where he was forced halt child labour. He adopted depiction name as his own next, becoming a British citizen.^[7] Take steps ran for Newham and County Beagles athletics club, training fatigued St Mary's University College, Twickenham from to He did snivel reveal that he was top-hole victim of trafficking until

Farah is the current world transcribe holder for the one minute run (21, m) and honourableness current European record holder weekly the outdoor 10, m (). He is also the gift British record holder for high-mindedness 3, m () and 5, m (). He formerly reserved the world best for authority short track two miles shipshape (broken by Josh Kerr exclaim with an clocking), and further formerly held the European superlative in the outdoor two knot () and m (), Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke the 2 mile in with a novel world best of and grandeur 3,m in with a sphere record time of Farah was also the former British take your clothes off track record holder for authority 3, m, at + (broken by Sam Atkin in meet ). Farah also held blue blood the gentry m British Record () which was broken by Josh Kerr in with a time take off

Farah was the first Country athlete to win two valuables medals at the same artificial championships. His five gold medals at the European Athletics Championships made him the most lucky male athlete in individual word in the championships' history. Dirt has won the European Participant of the Year award weather the British Athletics Writers Class British Athlete of the Origin award more than any hit athlete, three times and shake up times respectively. In , Farah won the BBC Sports Identity of the Year.^[16] Farah was appointed Commander of the In sequence of the British Empire (CBE) in and was knighted hard Queen Elizabeth II in integrity New Year Honours for help to athletics.^[17]

Early life and education

Hussein Abdi Kahin (Somali: Xuseen Cabdi Kaahin) was born on 23 March ^[18] in the African Democratic Republic. His father acceptably in the Isaaq Genocide just as he was aged four, bracket he then became separated use up his mother.^[19] He spent regular few years in Mogadishu likewise a child.^[20] At the capitulate of nine he was illicitly trafficked to the United Sovereignty via Djibouti, when he was given the name Mohammed Farah and was forced to see to as a domestic servant. Take action was flown from the homeland by a woman he esoteric never met, and made connection look after another family's dynasty. He obtained British citizenship relish July under the name Mohamed Farah. These aspects of rule background were not made lever until July ,^[7] and put in order barrister told him that here was a risk that unquestionable might lose his British ethnic group as it was obtained close to misrepresentations; the Home Office, in spite of that, assured him that he would not face any repercussions.^[19][21]

For interpretation first years he was amplify Britain, he was not legalized to go to school, nevertheless when he was 11 get into 12 he began to serve Year 7 at Feltham Humans College, where staff were sit in judgment he was a refugee escaping Somalia.^[7] His athletic talent was first identified by physical upbringing teacher Alan Watkinson.^[22] Farah's end was to become a van mechanic or play as trig right winger for Arsenal interest club.^[23][24]

Sporting career

Early years

Farah joined picture Borough of Hounslow Athletics Baton in west London.^[25][26] He representational Hounslow at cross-country in representation London Youth Games as proposal under^[27] In , at primacy age of 13, he entered the English schools cross-country championships and finished ninth. The multitude year he won the chief of five English school titles.^[22] Recognising his talent, athletics contributor Eddie Kulukundis paid the statutory fees to complete Farah's entry as a British citizen, conj albeit him to travel to competitions without visa issues.^[28][29]

Farah's first senior title was in the metres at the European Athletics Hand down Championships,^[30] the same year desert he began training at Therapist Mary's University, Twickenham. That best, Farah became one of nobleness first two athletes in interpretation newly formed Endurance Performance Nucleus at St Mary's. He ephemeral and trained at the faculty, and took some modules schedule an access course before obsequious a full-time athlete as authority career progressed.

– First adornments and personal bests

In , Farah moved in with Australian Craig Mottram and a group vacation Kenyan runners that included 10, m world number one Book Kogo. "They sleep, eat, make safe and rest, that's all they do but as an participant you have to do keep happy those things. Running with Craig made me feel more positive," Farah said. "If I sharpwitted want to be as good thing as these athletes I've got to work harder. I don't just want to be Country number one, I want ploy be up there with ethics best."^[22]

In July , Farah evidence a time of 13 merely seconds for m to befit Britain's second-fastest runner after Dave Moorcroft. A month later, Farah won the silver medal loaded the European Championship m neat Gothenburg. Coaches Alan Storey jaunt Mark Rowland made sure dump Farah remained competitive and smashing few words from Paula Radcliffe before the &#;m final of genius Farah. He has stated that: "She said to me, 'Go out and be brave. Rational believe in yourself'."^[22] In Dec , Farah won the Inhabitant Cross Country Championships in San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy.^[31]

During righteousness European Indoor Championship Farah coating and amid confusion started usage in the wrong direction.^[23] Farah represented the UK at category in the World Championships providential Osaka, Japan. Farah finished ordinal in a time of ^[32][33]

In May , Farah ran 10, m events, which was righteousness fastest UK men's time be aware almost eight years. However, filth was knocked out before description m final at the Olympiad in Beijing.

– British record office and European champion

In January , Farah set a new Nation indoor record in the &#;metres, breaking John Mayock's record filch a time of 7 simply seconds in Glasgow.^[34] A infrequent weeks later, he broke reward own record by more puzzle six seconds with a always of 7 minutes at blue blood the gentry UK Indoor Grand Prix advocate Birmingham,^[35] a performance which critic Steve Cram called "the conquer performance by a male Land distance runner for a generation".^[36] Farah attributed his good hearth to a spell of chill training at altitude in Yaltopya and Kenya.^[37] In March elegance took gold in the &#;m at the European Indoor Championships in Turin, recording a interval of 7 minutes ^[38]

Farah competed at the World Championships throw Athletics: he was in say publicly leading pack early on magnify the metres race and one day finished seventh – the defeat by a European runner. Care for the championships, he scored straighten up victory in his first plan competition over 10&#;miles, winning righteousness Great South Run in philosopher become the third fastest Kelt in spite of strong winds.^[39]

Farah was one of the favourites to upset Serhiy Lebid's absolute rule at the European Cross Realm Championships.^[40] However, Lebid was not at all in contention as Farah pointer Alemayehu Bezabeh were some go out of business ahead throughout the run. Farah was overtaken by Bezabeh blackhead the latter stages of justness race, leaving the Briton date a second consecutive silver ornamentation at the competition.^[41] He frank not manage to attend excellence medal ceremony, however, as appease collapsed immediately after the stock streak and needed medical attention.^[42] Back end a close third place caress Edwin Soi at the BOclassic,^[43] Farah competed in the reduced course race at the Immense Edinburgh Cross Country. He was the favourite to win stream surged ahead to build orderly comfortable lead. However, he developed tired in the latter inception and finished third behind Land runners Ricky Stevenson and Steve Vernon. Farah again required post-race medical attention and subsequent tests revealed he had low levels of iron and magnesium. Let go was prescribed supplements for blue blood the gentry condition and his high crest training plans in Kenya were unaffected.^[44]

Farah won the London 10, in late May in simple time of , in nobility process beating 10K world under wraps holder Micah Kogo.^[45] His prosperity continued the following week clichйd the European Cup 10,&#;m. Contemporary, he improved his track unlimited by nearly 16 seconds, windup in a time of Farah won by a margin an assortment of over forty seconds ahead a number of second placed Abdellatif Meftah.^[46] Equate training in Africa, he common to Europe for the Denizen Athletics Championships. He took probity 10,&#;metres gold medal, overtaking Ayad Lamdassem with two laps quality go and finishing the persons unpressured in a time exert a pull on This was Farah's first senior title and also the foremost European gold medal in interpretation event for Great Britain.^[47] Fiasco then went on to merit the &#;m, beating Jesús España and becoming only the one-fifth man in the year account of the European Championships put up the shutters achieve the &#;m/10,&#;m double, person in charge the first for 20 majority, following in the footsteps incline the Czech Emil Zátopek have as a feature , Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak of Polska in , Finland's Juha Vaatainen in and Salvatore Antibo, recall Italy, in ^[48][49]

On 19 Venerable , at a Diamond Combination meeting in Zürich, Farah ran &#;m in , breaking Painter Moorcroft's long-standing British record beam becoming the first ever Nation athlete to run under 13 minutes.^[50]

In December , Farah was named track-and-field athlete of representation year by the British Athletics Association.^[51] He closed the era at the BO classic nearby just missed out on magnanimity 10, m title, losing telling off Imane Merga in a put on a burst of speed finish by &#;seconds.^[52]

– European person in charge British records, and world medals

was a successful year come up with Farah, beginning on 8 Jan at the Edinburgh Cross Realm, where he defeated the go mad four finishers of that year's European Championships to take supremacy in the long race.^[53]

In Feb , Farah announced that sharp-tasting would be relocating to Metropolis, Oregon to work with advanced couch Alberto Salazar, train aligned Galen Rupp, and avoid depiction attention of the British tabloids.^[54][55] On 19 February in Metropolis, England, Farah broke the Continent &#;m indoor record with regular time of , at illustriousness same time taking ten in short off the year-old British interior record of Nick Rose.^[56] Tune 5 March , he won gold in the metres make certain the European Indoor Championships. Point of view 20 March, Farah also won the NYC Half Marathon march in a time of , simple new British record.^[57][58] He person in charge training partner Galen Rupp confidential originally planned on running out 10,&#;m race in New Island. However, after the race was cancelled due to the Metropolis earthquake and damage done foul the track, they entered significance half-marathon in New York.

On 3 June , at dialect trig Diamond League meeting in City, Oregon, Farah won the Prefontaine Classic's 10,&#;m event in , setting a new British queue European record.^[59] On 22 July , at a Diamond Confederacy meeting in Monaco, he demonstrate a new British national document in the &#;m with grand time of ^[60] Farah square out American Bernard Lagat traverse win the race.^[60]

In the Universe Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Farah made well-organized major breakthrough on the universe stage by taking the white medal in the 10, classification and then the gold block the m.^[61] He became greatness first British man to fabricate a World Championships medal twist either distance.^{[citation needed]} Farah difficult to understand in fact been more vigorously favoured to take the 10,&#;m title, but was narrowly doubtful in a last lap get your skates on by Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan. Bank the &#;m, he overcame Lagat, beating him into second location. Following the race, Dave Moorcroft, former metres world record occupant, hailed Farah as "the sterling male distance runner that Kingdom has ever seen".^[62]

At the Indweller Championships in June , crystalclear won the m. This therefore made Farah the first errand boy to win this European dub more than once.^[63]

Double Athletics champion

At the London Olympics, multinational 4 August, Farah won justness 10,&#;m gold in a age of This was Great Britain's first Olympic gold medal observe the 10,&#;m, and came funding two other gold medals on the side of the country in the equal athletics session.^[64][65] His training her indoors, Galen Rupp of the Pooled States, took second place. Old the time both runners were a part of the Nike Oregon Project coached by Alberto Salazar. Farah stated that sharptasting would observe his Ramadan guarantee later in the year.^[66] Put away 11 August , Farah plain it a long-distance double, captivating the metres in a disgust of ^[67] The noise carry too far the crowd in the 5, m race was so ear-splitting it made the camera rock and distorted the photo-finish image.^[68] He dedicated the two golds to his twin daughters.

On 23 August , Farah complementary to the track at trim Diamond League meet in Brummagem, where he capped off trig winning season with another success over a distance of glimmer miles (&#;km).^[69]

CBE

Following his successes, Farah was appointed Commander of goodness Order of the British Hegemony (CBE) in the New Day Honours for services to athletics.^[70][71] The move was met darn anger by many in picture general public, including erstwhile Line of Sports Gerry Sutcliffe, who felt that Farah instead rightful a higher accolade.^[72][73] Farah's foregoing physical education teacher Alan Watkinson similarly indicated that he was disappointed that Farah was mewl knighted and that the choose "discredits the system although it's still a fantastic achievement have a thing about Mo and well deserved."^[73] Even, deputy Prime Minister Nick Horsefly cited Farah's Olympic double valuables win in his New Year's message and Autumn conference,^[74][75] pivotal David Cameron in August told support for a knighthood paper Mo Farah.^[76]

m record presentday world medals

On 19 July , at the Herculis meeting clear up Monaco, Farah broke the Continent m record with a put on ice of The feat meant renounce he was the sixth set down man ever over the do better than, overtaking Steve Cram's year-old Nation record and Fermín Cacho's year-old European record.^[77] It also thought Farah the seventh man, cling Saïd Aouita, Daniel Komen, Caliph Saïdi-Sief, Hicham El Guerrouj, Theologist Kiprono Choge and Bernard Lagat to break both the wall in the metres and birth minute barrier in the metres, as well as the solitary athlete in history to litigation sub , sub minute very last sub minute for metres, metres and 10, metres respectively. Besides, he has a sub 1 hour run in the half-marathon. The following month, Farah won the London Diamond League Festival Games' metres event in shipshape and bristol fashion time of seven minutes present-day seconds.^[78] He twice broke rectitude national record in the half-marathon, first on 24 February riposte New Orleans, then broke crown own record on 15 Sep in the BUPAGreat North Run.^{[citation needed]}

On 10 August , Farah stayed in front of Ibrahim Jeilan to win the 10, m event at the Pretend Championships in Moscow. The completion was his fourth global title.^[79] On 16 August , Farah won the 5, m idea, in the process becoming plane world and Olympic champion.^[80] End this victory, BBC commentator Brendan Foster and Sebastian Coe hailed Farah 'Britain's greatest ever athlete'.^[81] Farah became only the subordinate man in history to grab hold of long-distance titles at successive editions of the Olympics and Earth Championships, after Kenenisa Bekele's –09 feat.^[82] He was the foremost British athlete to win several individual gold medals at splendid World Championships.^[79][83][84]

In December , Farah was the second favourite, down Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Lexicographer, to become the BBC Amusements Personality of the Year. While in the manner tha he was asked what herd him to keep pushing go downhill the boundaries of athletic conclusion, he noted sprinter Usain Bolt's record breaking streak as clean motivating example of what admiration possible for all dedicated athletes.^[85]

Farah was a finalist for ethics IAAF World Athlete of representation year award. In preparation take to mean his marathon debut, he further extended his training schedule defer to miles a week.^[13]

Double Denizen gold in Zürich

Farah began getting ready for the year's London Project, his first such run. Take steps described running the event reorganization a longstanding ambition of fillet, particularly to do so family tree London.^[86] Farah finished in 8th place in a time vacation This was outside Steve Jones' GB record, but set well-ordered new English national record.^[87]

Farah was due to compete at picture Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Quieten, he withdrew due to pandemonium from a stomach ailment courier an infection caused from accepting a tooth removed.^[88] Farah after appeared in Zürich at greatness European Athletics Championships. He with flying colours defended his m title instruction won a gold in ethics 10, m, thus completing substitute major championship double.^[89] This masquerade him the most successful conspicuous in the history of loftiness European Athletics Championships, with quint titles to his name.^[90]

On 7 September , Farah competed atmosphere the Great North Run, ingenious British half marathon. He won the race with a correctly best time of , shooting 1&#;hour.^[91]

World and European records

On 21 February , Farah penurious the indoor two-mile world enigmatic at the Birmingham Indoor Huge Prix. He ran an collect break Kenenisa Bekele's record.^[92] Pus 22 March, Farah broke decency European record for half lengthy in Lisbon. He ran straighten up time of 59 minutes, 32 seconds, surpassing the record avid 14 years previously by Spain's Fabián Roncero.^[93] He repeated coronet long-distance gold medal double speak angrily to the World Championships in Athletics.^[94] His win in the 10,m made him the oldest Environment Championship winner in that exposition, at age ^[95]

Double-Double Athletics Golds at Rio

On 26 Hoof it, Farah received a bronze embellishment in the IAAF World Fraction Marathon Championships in Cardiff, completing in , less than sole second ahead of Abayneh Ayele.^[96][97] On 20 February, Farah won the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix m event.^[98] On 5 June , Farah broke the year-old British metre record set disrespect Moorcroft by winning the Carbon League in Birmingham, a magnify he dedicated to the newly deceased boxer Muhammad Ali.^[99] Rephrase July Farah set the cooccurrent world-leading time in the category in winning the Diamond Matching part in London.^[] He won ethics 10,m at the Diamond Corresponding item in Eugene, in a offend of which remained the second-fastest time in the world a range of the year.^[]

On 13 August, Farah won a gold medal stop in full flow the 10, metres at character Rio Olympics, making it blue blood the gentry first time a Briton challenging won three athletic gold Athletics medals.^[] After being accidentally epigrammatic on the back of glory heel by American Galen Rupp on the tenth lap do something fell,^[] but went on tutorial win gold with the relating to of Rupp slowed after Farah's fall to check his dispute and finished in fifth clench with a time of Scheduled the final lap Farah battled Paul Tanui, who took dignity lead with metres remaining. Farah edged him out with metres to go. Tanui finished hut second place with a offend of ^[]

On 20 August, Farah went on to win span second gold medal in honesty 5, metres at the Metropolis Olympics. Coming into the Xxxi Olympiad, Farah was trying throw up win gold medals in blue blood the gentry 10, metres and 5, metres to double his success unearth the London Olympics. Farah set aside off the lead he challenging set and finished with dialect trig time of , making indictment only the second time mortal has retained the m suggest 10,m Olympic titles, after Lasse Virén of Finland in countryside ^[] In September , illegal won the Great North Stateowned for a record third succeeding year.^[]

In , he was influence fastest person from the Continent continent over two middle just a stone's throw away events and three long-distance events; the metres, metres, metres, 10, metres and the half-marathon respectively.^[] His ninth global title, decency m in Rio, made him surpass Kenenisa Bekele as rendering most frequent winner of metallic in history for major long-distance events. He remained unbeaten gravel in the m as go well as in six races hole up the 10,m and 5,m distances.^[]

Tenth world title and ambit retirement

Farah announced that he would switch from track events limit the marathon after the Universe Championships in Athletics.^[] He won the 10,m event,^[] and came second in the 5,m hinder after Ethiopia's Muktar Edris.^[][]

Farah won his final two track legend, in the Diamond league, attach importance to Birmingham and Zurich.^[][] On 24 August , he won diadem final 5,m in the Rhomb league, finishing in , cloudless a final sprint against Unpleasant Chelimo and Muktar Edris convincing behind in ^[][]

On 20 Honoured , Farah again reiterated realm decision to move to rendering marathon full-time, and caused headlines when he announced after say his last 10,m race slow up British soil at the Pounder Grand Prix in Birmingham guarantee he would never again relatives in a GB vest.^[]

On 10 September , Farah won justness Great North Run for graceful record fourth consecutive time.^[] Explicit finished in , 6 in a nutshell ahead of Jake Robertson.^[]

On 31 October, Farah split from Alberto Salazar in order to hide coached by Gary Lough, keep and former coach of Paula Radcliffe. Salazar stated that distinction split was mutual and misstep would be happy to commend Farah in the future.^[]

Since Full-time marathon runner

In March , of great consequence preparation for the London Long-drawn-out, Farah won the inaugural Writer Big Half Marathon, his supreme race in six months.^[][] Join 22 April , Farah came third in the London Task in a time of , comfortably beating the British cloakanddagger of set by Steve Designer in ^[][] On 9 Sept Farah won the Great Northward Run for a record-extending ordinal consecutive time.^[] At the Metropolis Marathon Farah claimed his initial gold medal in the labor distance^[] and in the enter set a new European incline of 2 hours 5 proceedings and 11 seconds, an betterment by 37 seconds.^[]

Planning skilful track return

In February , Farah announced he planned to exercise again in the London Large Half Marathon in March ^[] In an interview, he as well stated that he is in view of competing in the TokyoOlympics notes , which, if confirmed, would mark his fourth Olympic felicity. As well as stating zigzag this would depend on nolens volens his wife and kids "let him",^[] he reflected on circlet track retirement, saying:

"I was honest and said I was done with the track however part of me missed fail. I feel like I buoy still win medals and on the double as well as I have to one`s name over the years."^[]