Sir Mo Farah

About

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah CBE OLY, born Hussein Abdi Kahin on 23 March 1983, is a retired long-distance runner of Somali origin who later became a British citizen. Revered as one of the greatest runners in history, Farah’s illustrious career is defined by his remarkable achievements on the track. With ten global championship gold medals, comprising four Olympic and six World titles, Farah holds the distinction of being the most successful male track distance runner ever. Additionally, he is hailed as the most successful British track athlete in the modern Olympic Games era.

Olympic Triumphs and World Championships Dominance

Farah’s Olympic accolades include winning gold medals in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He is only the second athlete, after Lasse Virén, to achieve the ‘distance double’ at successive Olympic Games. Furthermore, Farah secured victories in the ‘distance double’ at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships in Athletics, becoming the first man to defend both titles in both major global competitions—a feat famously dubbed the ‘quadruple-double’.

Track and Road Racing Career

Primarily competing in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres on the track, Farah has showcased his versatility by participating competitively in distances ranging from 1,500 metres to the marathon. Following his victory in the 2017 IAAF Diamond League 5,000 metres final, Farah announced his intention to transition fully to road racing. Notably, he triumphed in the 2018 Chicago Marathon, setting a European record with a remarkable time of 2:05:11.

Early Life and Challenges

Born in present-day Somalia, Farah endured a challenging childhood marked by adversity. At the age of nine, he was trafficked from Djibouti to London under a different identity and forced into child labour. Despite these hardships, Farah overcame adversity, eventually becoming a British citizen and adopting the name Mohamed Farah.

Records and Achievements

Farah’s list of records and accolades is extensive. He holds the European record for the 10,000 metres and outdoor two miles, the British record for the 5,000 metres, and was the former British indoor record holder for the 3,000 metres. Additionally, Farah set the world record for the indoor two miles and currently holds the world record for the one hour run.

Honours and Recognition

Farah’s contributions to athletics have earned him numerous honours and accolades. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2017 New Year Honours for his services to athletics. Farah was also awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2017.

Beyond Athletics

Outside of his athletic pursuits, Farah has continued to make an impact. He won Taskmaster’s New Year Treat in 2023 and was appointed the International Organization for Migration’s first global Goodwill Ambassador later that same year.

Sir Mohamed Farah’s legacy transcends his achievements on the track, symbolising resilience, determination, and excellence in the face of adversity.