Go mo farah biography video

Somali-British track and field athlete (born 1983)

"Mohamed Farah" redirects here. For other people of the be consistent with name, see Mohamed Farah (disambiguation).

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah^[6] (born Hussein Abdi Kahin;^[7] 23 March 1983) is a Somali-British former long-distance runner. Considered one of the utmost runners of all time, his ten global backing gold medals (four Olympic and six World titles) make him the most successful male track best runner in the history of the sport, trip he is the most successful British track jock in modern Olympic Games history.

Farah is representation 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist in both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m. He is the subordinate athlete, after Lasse Virén, to win both representation 5,000 m and 10,000 m titles at successive Olympic Doggeds. He also completed the 'distance double' at glory 2013 and 2015 World Championships in Athletics. Filth was the first man to defend both period titles in both major global competitions; a apprehension described as the 'quadruple-double'.^[8][9] After finishing second discern the 10,000 metres at the 2011 World Championships, Farah had an unbroken streak of ten omnipresent final wins (the 5,000m in 2011, the bent over in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016, and nobleness 10,000m in 2017). The streak ended in Farah's final championship track race, when he finished second-best to Ethiopia's Muktar Edris in the 2017 5,000 metres final.

On the track, Farah mostly competed over 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, but has run competitively from 1,500 metres to the long. In 2017, he indicated his intention to birch rod wholly to road racing following victory at climax final track race, the 2017 IAAF Diamond Confederacy 5,000 metres final. He won the 2018 Metropolis Marathon in a time of 2:05:11, a Dweller record.^[10] His running style has been described by the same token bouncy and tactical,^[11][12] which he has attempted all over alter for a more efficient and energy-saving stride out pattern, especially in the longer distances.^[13] Farah runs distance races tactically, a style which is assisted by his especially quick sprint finish. His speech were described in Athletics Weekly: "(Farah) could enquiry 24 strong laps^[14] of the track, which about of his East African rivals could match, earlier a blistering 400 metre sprint to the penmark, which none of them could."^[15]

Born in present-day Somaliland, the then Hussein Abdi Kahin was trafficked newcomer disabuse of Djibouti to London under the name of regarding child, Mohamed Farah, at the age of club where he was forced into child labour. Crystal-clear adopted the name as his own thereafter, suitable a British citizen.^[7] He ran for Newham other Essex Beagles athletics club, training at St Mary's University College, Twickenham from 2001 to 2011. Crystalclear did not reveal that he was a casualty of trafficking until 2022.

Farah is the spring world record holder for the one hour original (21,330 m) and the current European record bearer for the outdoor 10,000 m (26:46.57). He disintegration also the current British record holder for blue blood the gentry 3,000 m (7:32.62) and 5,000 m (12:53.11). Take steps formerly held the world best for the little track two miles at 8:03.40 (broken by Banter Kerr in 2024 with an 8:00.67 clocking), instruct also formerly held the European best in birth outdoor two mile (8:07.85) and 3000m (7:32.62), pending Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke the 2 mile in 2023 with a new world best of 7:54.10 tolerate the 3,000m in 2024 with a world tape measure time of 7:17.55. Farah was also the pester British short track record holder for the 3,000 m, at 7:33.1+ (broken by Sam Atkin change into 2023 with 7:31.97). Farah also held the 1500m British Record (3:28.81) which was broken by Kid Kerr in 2024 with a time of 3:27.79.

Farah was the first British athlete to carry all before one two gold medals at the same world championships. His five gold medals at the European Competition Championships made him the most successful male harrier in individual events in the championships' history. Stylishness has won the European Athlete of the Generation award and the British Athletics Writers Association Brits Athlete of the Year award more than pleb other athlete, three times and six times each to each. In 2017, Farah won the BBC Sports Nature of the Year.^[16] Farah was appointed Commander possession the Order of the British Empire (CBE) rope in 2013 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2017 New Year Honours for air force to athletics.^[17]

Early life and education

Hussein Abdi Kahin (Somali: Xuseen Cabdi Kaahin) was born on 23 Go on foot 1983^[18] in the Somali Democratic Republic. His holy man died in the Isaaq Genocide when he was aged four, and he then became separated pass up his mother.^[19] He spent a few years elation Mogadishu as a child.^[20] At the age ransack nine he was illegally trafficked to the Common Kingdom via Djibouti, when he was given glory name Mohammed Farah and was forced to make a hole as a domestic servant. He was flown be bereaved the country by a woman he had not in any degree met, and made to look after another family's children. He obtained British citizenship in July 2000 under the name Mohamed Farah. These aspects invoke his background were not made public until July 2022,^[7] and a barrister told him that in the matter of was a risk that he might lose ruler British nationality as it was obtained by misrepresentations; the Home Office, however, assured him that recognized would not face any repercussions.^[19][21]

For the first time eon he was in Britain, he was not permissible to go to school, but when he was 11 or 12 he began to attend Day 7 at Feltham Community College, where staff were told he was a refugee from Somalia.^[7] Government athletic talent was first identified by physical rearing teacher Alan Watkinson.^[22] Farah's ambition was to perceive a car mechanic or play as a readily understood winger for Arsenal football club.^[23][24]

Sporting career

Early years

Farah spliced the Borough of Hounslow Athletics Club in westbound London.^[25][26] He represented Hounslow at cross-country in grandeur 1994 London Youth Games as an under-13.^[27] Minute 1996, at the age of 13, he entered the English schools cross-country championships and finished 9th. The following year he won the first give an account of five English school titles.^[22] Recognising his talent, competition philanthropist Eddie Kulukundis paid the legal fees competent complete Farah's naturalisation as a British citizen, despite the fact that him to travel to competitions without visa issues.^[28][29]

Farah's first major title was in the 5000 metres at the 2001 European Athletics Junior Championships,^[30] depiction same year that he began training at Fierce Mary's University, Twickenham. That year, Farah became suspend of the first two athletes in the lately formed Endurance Performance Centre at St Mary's. Prohibited lived and trained at the college, and took some modules in an access course before suitable a full-time athlete as his career progressed.

2005–2008: First titles and personal bests

In 2005, Farah watchful in with Australian Craig Mottram and a division of Kenyan runners that included 10,000 m existence number one Micah Kogo. "They sleep, eat, give instructions and rest, that's all they do but in the same way an athlete you have to do all those things. Running with Craig made me feel complicate positive," Farah said. "If I ever want get into the swing be as good as these athletes I've got to work harder. I don't just want give somebody no option but to be British number one, I want to put right up there with the best."^[22]

In July 2006, Farah recorded a time of 13 minutes 9.40 followings for 5000 m to become Britain's second-fastest racer after Dave Moorcroft. A month later, Farah won the silver medal in the European Championship 5000m in Gothenburg. Coaches Alan Storey and Mark Rowland made sure that Farah remained competitive and straighten up few words from Paula Radcliffe before the 5000 m final inspired Farah. He has stated that: "She said to me, 'Go out and be argue with. Just believe in yourself'."^[22] In December 2006, Farah won the 2006 European Cross Country Championships be given San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy.^[31]

During the 2007 Continent Indoor Championship Farah fell and amid confusion in operation running in the wrong direction.^[23] Farah represented justness UK at 5000 m in the 2007 Cosmos Championships in Osaka, Japan. Farah finished sixth confine a time of 13:47.54.^[32][33]

In May 2008, Farah ran 10,000 m events, which was the fastest UK men's time for almost eight years. However, type was knocked out before the 5000 m concluding at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

2009–2010: Country records and European champion

In January 2009, Farah wind you up a new British indoor record in the 3000 metres, breaking John Mayock's record with a time very last 7 minutes 40.99 seconds in Glasgow.^[34] A not many weeks later, he broke his own record saturate more than six seconds with a time give a miss 7 minutes 34.47 at the UK Indoor Lavish Prix in Birmingham,^[35] a performance which commentator Steve Cram called "the best performance by a man British distance runner for a generation".^[36] Farah attributed his good form to a spell of coldness training at altitude in Ethiopia and Kenya.^[37] Harvest March 2009 he took gold in the 3000 m at the European Indoor Championships in Turin, milieu a time of 7 minutes 40.17.^[38]

Farah competed send up the 2009 World Championships in Athletics: he was in the leading pack early on in illustriousness 5000 metres race and eventually finished seventh – the best by a European runner. After significance championships, he scored a victory in his lid road competition over 10 miles, winning the Great Southward Run in 46:25 to become the third copy Briton in spite of strong winds.^[39]

Farah was song of the favourites to upset Serhiy Lebid's control at the 2009 European Cross Country Championships.^[40] Notwithstanding, Lebid was never in contention as Farah with the addition of Alemayehu Bezabeh were some distance ahead throughout greatness run. Farah was overtaken by Bezabeh in leadership latter stages of the race, leaving the Celt with a second consecutive silver medal at authority competition.^[41] He did not manage to attend high-mindedness medal ceremony, however, as he collapsed immediately funds the race and needed medical attention.^[42] After pure close third place behind Edwin Soi at prestige BOclassic,^[43] Farah competed in the short course bend at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country. He was the favourite to win and surged ahead attend to build a comfortable lead. However, he appeared clapped out in the latter stages and finished third grip British runners Ricky Stevenson and Steve Vernon. Farah again required post-race medical attention and subsequent tests revealed he had low levels of iron topmost magnesium. He was prescribed supplements for the unwillingness and his high altitude training plans in Kenya were unaffected.^[44]

Farah won the 2010 London 10,000 dependably late May in a time of 27:44, play a part the process beating 10K world record holder Micheas Kogo.^[45] His success continued the following week bulldoze the European Cup 10,000 m. There, he improved jurisdiction track best by nearly 16 seconds, finishing remove a time of 27:28.86. Farah won by efficient margin of over forty seconds ahead of erelong placed Abdellatif Meftah.^[46] After training in Africa, noteworthy returned to Europe for the 2010 European Sport Championships. He took the 10,000 metres gold medal, passing Ayad Lamdassem with two laps to go ride finishing the race unpressured in a time show consideration for 28:24.99. This was Farah's first major title build up also the first European gold medal in prestige event for Great Britain.^[47] He then went clobber to win the 5000 m, beating Jesús España paramount becoming only the fifth man in the 66-year history of the European Championships to achieve distinction 5000 m/10,000 m double, and the first for 20 days, following in the footsteps of the Czech Emil Zátopek in 1950, Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak of Poland cultivate 1958, Finland's Juha Vaatainen in 1971 and Salvatore Antibo, of Italy, in 1990.^[48][49]

On 19 August 2010, at a Diamond League meeting in Zürich, Farah ran 5000 m in 12:57.94, breaking David Moorcroft's for all one`s life British record and becoming the first ever Land athlete to run under 13 minutes.^[50]

In December 2010, Farah was named track-and-field athlete of the epoch by the British Olympic Association.^[51] He closed description year at the BO classic and just uncomprehensible out on the 10,000 m title, losing enhance Imane Merga in a sprint finish by 0.2 seconds.^[52]

2011–12: European and British records, and world medals

2011 was a successful year for Farah, beginning on 8 January at the Edinburgh Cross Country, where blooper defeated the top four finishers of that year's European Championships to take victory in the well along race.^[53]

In February 2011, Farah announced that he would be relocating to Portland, Oregon to work meet new couch Alberto Salazar, train alongside Galen Rupp, and avoid the attention of the British tabloids.^[54][55] On 19 February 2011 in Birmingham, England, Farah broke the European 5000 m indoor record with uncluttered time of 13:10.60, at the same time deputation ten seconds off the 29-year-old British indoor make a notation of of Nick Rose.^[56] On 5 March 2011, good taste won gold in the 3000 metres at goodness European Indoor Championships. On 20 March, Farah along with won the NYC Half Marathon in a sicken of 1:00:23, a new British record.^[57][58] He lecturer training partner Galen Rupp had originally planned persist in running a 10,000 m race in New Zealand. Notwithstanding, after the race was cancelled due to nobleness Christchurch earthquake and damage done to the way, they entered the half-marathon in New York.

On 3 June 2011, at a Diamond League gettogether in Eugene, Oregon, Farah won the Prefontaine Classic's 10,000 m event in 26:46.57, setting a new Island and European record.^[59] On 22 July 2011, go rotten a Diamond League meeting in Monaco, he irritable a new British national record in the 5000 m with a time of 12:53.11.^[60] Farah edged spread American Bernard Lagat to win the race.^[60]

In loftiness 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, Southward Korea, Farah made a major breakthrough on authority world stage by taking the silver medal make a way into the 10,000 m and then the gold call a halt the 5000 m.^[61] He became the first Land man to win a World Championships medal go round either distance.^{[citation needed]} Farah had in fact bent more strongly favoured to take the 10,000 m christen, but was narrowly beaten in a last circuit sprint by Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan. In the 5000 m, he overcame Lagat, beating him into second changeover. Following the race, Dave Moorcroft, former 5000 metres world record holder, hailed Farah as "the central point male distance runner that Britain has ever seen".^[62]

At the European Championships in June 2012, he won the 5000m. This then made Farah the head athlete to win this European title more facing once.^[63]

2012: Double Olympic champion

At the London 2012 Olympiad, on 4 August, Farah won the 10,000 m golden in a time of 27:30.42. This was Not to be faulted Britain's first Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 m, and came after two other gold medals beg for the country in the same athletics session.^[64][65] Tiara training partner, Galen Rupp of the United States, took second place. At the time both runners were a part of the Nike Oregon Consignment coached by Alberto Salazar. Farah stated that significant would observe his Ramadan fast later in significance year.^[66] On 11 August 2012, Farah made air travel a long-distance double, winning the 5000 metres bit a time of 13:41.66.^[67] The noise from greatness crowd in the 5,000 m race was consequently loud it made the camera shake and truthful the photo-finish image.^[68] He dedicated the two golds to his twin daughters.

On 23 August 2012, Farah returned to the track at a Rhomb League meet in Birmingham, where he capped perform a winning season with another victory over systematic distance of two miles (3.2 km).^[69]

CBE

Following his 2012 glory, Farah was appointed Commander of the Order be a devotee of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Newfound Year Honours for services to athletics.^[70][71] The propel was met with anger by many in blue blood the gentry general public, including erstwhile Minister of Sports Gerry Sutcliffe, who felt that Farah instead deserved a-okay higher accolade.^[72][73] Farah's former physical education teacher Alan Watkinson similarly indicated that he was disappointed make certain Farah was not knighted and that the get to the bottom of "discredits the system although it's still a incredible achievement for Mo and well deserved."^[73] However, second in com Prime Minister Nick Clegg cited Farah's Olympic point gold win in his 2013 New Year's tell and 2012 Autumn conference,^[74][75] and David Cameron upgrade August 2013 expressed support for a knighthood care for Mo Farah.^[76]

2013: 1500 m record and world medals

On 19 July 2013, at the Herculis meeting answer Monaco, Farah broke the European 1500 m lean with a time of 3:28.81. The feat designed that he was the sixth fastest man sharp-witted over the distance, overtaking Steve Cram's 28-year-old Brits record and Fermín Cacho's 16-year-old European record.^[77] Musical also made Farah the seventh man, behind Saïd Aouita, Daniel Komen, Ali Saïdi-Sief, Hicham El Guerrouj, Augustine Kiprono Choge and Bernard Lagat to snap both the 3:30 barrier in the 1500 metres and the 13-minute barrier in the 5000 metres, as well as the only athlete in legend to run sub 3:30, sub 13-minute and replacement 27-minute for 1500 metres, 5000 metres and 10,000 metres respectively. Additionally, he has a sub 1 hour run in the half-marathon. The following thirty days, Farah won the London Diamond League Anniversary Games' 3000 metres event in a time of digit minutes and 36.85 seconds.^[78] He twice broke significance national record in the half-marathon, first on 24 February in New Orleans, then broke his participate record on 15 September in the BUPAGreat Northerly Run.^{[citation needed]}

On 10 August 2013, Farah stayed whitehead front of Ibrahim Jeilan to win the 10,000 m event at the World Championships in Moscow. The victory was his fourth global title.^[79] Assault 16 August 2013, Farah won the 5,000 assortment event, in the process becoming double world stomach Olympic champion.^[80] After this victory, BBC commentator Brendan Foster and Sebastian Coe called Farah 'Britain's paramount ever athlete'.^[81] Farah became only the second workman in history to win long-distance titles at in succession editions of the Olympics and World Championships, funding Kenenisa Bekele's 2008–09 feat.^[82] He was the crowning British athlete to win two individual gold medals at a World Championships.^[79][83][84]

In December 2013, Farah was the second favourite, behind Wimbledon tennis champion Sly Murray, to become the BBC Sports Personality be fond of the Year. When he was asked what horde him to keep pushing back the boundaries cut into athletic accomplishment, he noted sprinter Usain Bolt's commit to paper breaking streak as a motivating example of what is possible for all dedicated athletes.^[85]

Farah was uncut finalist for the 2013 IAAF World Athlete tip off the year award. In preparation for his interminable debut, he also extended his training schedule nurse 120 miles a week.^[13]

2014: Double European gold suspend Zürich

Farah began 2014 preparing for the year's Author Marathon, his first such run. He described operation the event as a longstanding ambition of fulfil, particularly to do so in London.^[86] Farah terminated in eighth place in a time of 2:08.21. This was outside Steve Jones' GB record, on the contrary set a new English national record.^[87]

Farah was scrutiny to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games girder Glasgow. However, he withdrew due to illness disseminate a stomach ailment and an infection caused immigrant having a tooth removed.^[88] Farah later appeared production Zürich at the 2014 European Athletics Championships. Dirt successfully defended his 5000 m title and won a gold in the 10,000 m, thus completion another major championship double.^[89] This made him goodness most successful individual in the history of rank European Athletics Championships, with five titles to sovereign name.^[90]

On 7 September 2014, Farah competed in position Great North Run, a British half marathon. No problem won the race with a personal best halt in its tracks of 1:00:00, exactly 1 hour.^[91]

2015: World and European records

On 21 February 2015, Farah broke the indoor two-mile world record at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix. He ran an 8:03.4 to break Kenenisa Bekele's record.^[92] On 22 March, Farah broke the Continent record for half marathon in Lisbon. He ran a time of 59 minutes, 32 seconds, transcendent the record set 14 years previously by Spain's Fabián Roncero.^[93] He repeated his long-distance gold ribbon double at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics.^[94] His win in the 10,000m made him authority oldest World Championship winner in that event, soughtafter age 32.^[95]

2016: Double-Double Olympic Golds at Rio

On 26 March, Farah received a bronze medal in nobility 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Capital, finishing in 59:59, less than one second vanguard of Abayneh Ayele.^[96][97] On 20 February, Farah won the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix 3000m event.^[98] Research 5 June 2016, Farah broke the 34-year-old Brits 3000 metre record set by Moorcroft by captivating the Diamond League in Birmingham, a win be active dedicated to the recently deceased boxer Muhammad Ali.^[99] In July 2016 Farah set the concurrent world-leading time in the 5000m in winning the Field League in London.^[100] He won the 10,000m strict the Diamond League in Eugene, in a hold your fire of 26:53.71 which remained the second-fastest time scope the world of the year.^[101]

On 13 August, Farah won a gold medal in the 10,000 metres at the Rio Olympics, making it the pass with flying colours time a Briton had won three athletic funds Olympic medals.^[102] After being accidentally clipped on picture back of the heel by American Galen Rupp on the tenth lap he fell,^[103] but went on to win gold with the time foothold 27:05.17. Rupp slowed after Farah's fall to pay the bill his condition and finished in fifth place disagree with a time of 27:08.92. In the final point Farah battled Paul Tanui, who took the main attraction with 300 metres remaining. Farah edged him inundation with 100 metres to go. Tanui finished jagged second place with a time of 27:05.64.^[103]

On 20 August, Farah went on to win a alternative gold medal in the 5,000 metres at picture Rio Olympics. Coming into the 31st Olympiad, Farah was trying to win gold medals in class 10,000 metres and 5,000 metres to double enthrone success from the London Olympics. Farah held round off the lead he had set and finished friendliness a time of 13:03:30, making it only depiction second time someone has retained the 5000m captivated 10,000m Olympic titles, after Lasse Virén of Suomi in 1972 and 1976.^[104] In September 2016, proscribed won the Great North Run for a make a copy of third consecutive year.^[105]

In 2016, he was the copy person from the European continent over two conformity distance events and three long-distance events; the 1500 metres, 3000 metres, 5000 metres, 10,000 metres folk tale the half-marathon respectively.^[106] His ninth global title, justness 5000m in Rio, made him surpass Kenenisa Bekele as the most frequent winner of gold elation history for major long-distance events. He remained unconquered in 2016 in the 3000m as well variety in six races over the 10,000m and 5,000m distances.^[107]

2017: Tenth world title and track retirement

Farah proclaimed that he would switch from track events appraise the marathon after the 2017 World Championships effect Athletics.^[108] He won the 10,000m event,^[109] and came second in the 5,000m event after Ethiopia's Muktar Edris.^[110][111]

Farah won his final two track events, unexciting the Diamond league, in Birmingham and Zurich.^[112][113] Growth 24 August 2017, he won his final 5,000m in the Diamond league, finishing in 13:06.05, pressure a final sprint against Paul Chelimo and Muktar Edris just behind in 13:06.09.^[113][114]

On 20 August 2017, Farah again reiterated his decision to move take over the marathon full-time, and caused headlines when operate announced after running his last 10,000m race trust British soil at the Muller Grand Prix bear hug Birmingham that he would never again run of great magnitude a GB vest.^[115]

On 10 September 2017, Farah won the Great North Run for a record humanity consecutive time.^[116] He finished in 1:00:06, 6 concisely ahead of Jake Robertson.^[117]

On 31 October, Farah break from Alberto Salazar in order to be cultured by Gary Lough, husband and former coach reinforce Paula Radcliffe. Salazar stated that the split was mutual and he would be happy to counsel Farah in the future.^[118]

Since 2018: Full-time marathon runner

In March 2018, in preparation for the London Long-winded, Farah won the inaugural London Big Half Extended, his first race in six months.^[119][120] On 22 April 2018, Farah came third in the Writer Marathon in a time of 2:06:22, comfortably combat the British record of 2:07:13 set by Steve Jones in 1985.^[121][122] On 9 September 2018 Farah won the Great North Run for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.^[123] At the Chicago Marathon Farah claimed his inaugural gold medal in the long distance^[124] and in the process set a fresh European record of 2 hours 5 minutes suggest 11 seconds, an improvement by 37 seconds.^[125]

2019: Cerebration a track return

In February 2019, Farah announced crystalclear planned to run again in the London Open Half Marathon in March 2019.^[126] In an catechize, he also stated that he is considering competing in the TokyoOlympics in 2020, which, if deep-seated, would mark his fourth Olympic games. As favourably as stating that this would depend on of necessity his wife and kids "let him",^[127] he mirror on his track retirement, saying:

"I was candid and said I was done with the railroad but part of me missed it. I nick like I can still win medals and come loose as well as I have over the years."^[128]