Mo Farah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sir Mo Farah
CBE

Farah at the 2015 Diamond League in Doha
Personal information
Birth name	Hussein Abdi Kahin
Nationality	British
Born	(1983-03-23) 23 March 1983 (age 42) Gabiley, Somalia
Monuments	Gold postboxes: Isleworth, London; Teddington, London Madame Tussauds wax sculpture in Marylebone
Occupation	Runner
Years active	1996–2023
Height	175 cm
Weight	58 kg (128 lb)
Spouse(s)	Tania Nell ​ (m. 2010)​
Sport
Country	Great Britain
Sport	Athletics/Track, Long-distance running
Event(s)	10,000 metres, 5000 metres, 1500 metres, Half marathon, Marathon
University team	St Mary's University Twickenham, London
Club	Newham and Essex Beagles, London
Coached by	Charles Van Commenee Alan Storey Alan Watkinson Ian Stewart (formerly) Alberto Salazar
Achievements and titles
World finals	2007 Osaka 5000 m, 6th 2009 Berlin 5000 m, 7th 2011 Daegu 10,000 m, 2 Silver 5000 m, 1 Gold 2013 Moscow 10,000 m, 1 Gold 5000 m, 1 Gold 2015 Beijing 10,000 m, 1 Gold 5000 m, 1 Gold 2017 London 10,000 m, 1 Gold 5000 m, 2 Silver
Olympic finals	2008 Beijing 5000 m, 17th (h) 2012 London 10,000 m, 1 Gold 5000 m, 1 Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 10,000 m, 1 Gold 5000 m, 1 Gold
Personal best(s)	Outdoor 800 m: 1:48.24 (Lugano 2008) 1500 m: 3:28.81 (Monaco 2013) Mile: 3:56.49 (London 2005) 3000 m: 7:32.62 NR (Birmingham 2016) 2-mile: 8:07.85 (Birmingham 2014) 5000 m: 12:53.11 NR (Monaco 2011) 10,000 m: 26:46.57 ER (Eugene 2011) 20,000 m: 56:20.30 NR (Brussels 2020) Hour run: 21,330 m WR (Brussels 2020) Indoor Mile: 3:57.92 (Boston 2012) 3000 m: 7:33.1i+ h (Birmingham 2015) 2-mile: 8:03.40i (Birmingham 2015) 5000 m: 13:09.16i (Birmingham 2017) Road 10 km: 27:44 NR (London 2010) Half marathon: 59:07a ER (South Shields 2019) Marathon: 2:05:11 NR (Chicago 2018)
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 4 0 0 World Championships 6 2 0 World Half Marathon Championships 0 0 1 European Championships 5 1 0 European Indoor Championships 2 0 0 European Cross Country Championships 1 3 1 European Team Championships 1 0 0 European U23 Championships 0 3 0 Men's athletics Representing  Great Britain Olympic Games Gold 2012 London 5000 m Gold 2012 London 10,000 m Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 5000 m Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 10,000 m World Championships Gold 2011 Daegu 5000 m Gold 2013 Moscow 5000 m Gold 2013 Moscow 10,000 m Gold 2015 Beijing 5000 m Gold 2015 Beijing 10,000 m Gold 2017 London 10,000 m Silver 2011 Daegu 10,000 m Silver 2017 London 5000 m Diamond League Gold 2017 5000 m World Half Marathon Championships Bronze 2016 Cardiff Individual European Championships Silver 2006 Gothenburg 5000 m Gold 2010 Barcelona 5000 m Gold 2010 Barcelona 10,000 m Gold 2012 Helsinki 5000 m Gold 2014 Zürich 5000 m Gold 2014 Zürich 10,000 m European Indoor Championships Gold 2009 Torino 3000 m Gold 2011 Paris 3000 m European Cross Country Championships Gold 2006 San Giorgio su Legnano Individual Silver 2008 Brussels Individual Silver 2009 Dublin Individual Silver 2009 Dublin Team Bronze 2008 Brussels Team Half Marathon Gold 2019 Newcastle Individual Gold 2018 Newcastle Individual Gold 2017 Newcastle Individual Gold 2016 Newcastle Individual Gold 2015 Newcastle Individual Gold 2014 Newcastle Individual Silver 2013 Newcastle Individual World Marathon Majors Gold 2018 Chicago Marathon Bronze 2018 London Marathon

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah, born Hussein Abdi Kahin on March 23, 1983, is a British runner. He is known as one of the greatest long-distance runners ever. Mo Farah has won ten gold medals in major championships. These include four Olympic and six World titles. This makes him the most successful male track runner in history. He is also the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history.

Farah won gold medals in both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m races at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics. He is only the second athlete to win both these titles in two Olympics in a row. He also won both distances at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics and 2015 World Championships in Athletics. This amazing achievement is called the 'quadruple-double'. From 2011 to 2017, Farah won ten global finals in a row. This streak ended in 2017 when he finished second in the 5,000 metres final.

Mo Farah mainly competed in 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres races. But he has also run in shorter and longer races, including marathons. In 2017, he decided to focus on road racing. He won the 2018 Chicago Marathon, setting a new European record. Farah's running style is known for being bouncy and tactical. He often saves energy for a very fast finish. This tactic helped him win many races.

Farah became a British citizen and ran for the Newham and Essex Beagles club. He trained at St Mary's University, Twickenham for many years. In 2022, he shared that he was brought to the UK as a child and made to work.

Farah holds the world record for the one hour run (21,330 m). He also holds the European record for the outdoor 10,000 m (26:46.57). He is the British record holder for the 3,000 m (7:32.62) and 5,000 m (12:53.11).

He was the first British athlete to win two gold medals at the same World Championships. His five gold medals at the European Athletics Championships make him the most successful male athlete there. He has won the European Athlete of the Year award three times. He also won the British Athletics Writers Association British Athlete of the Year award six times. In 2017, Farah won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Queen Elizabeth II made him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013. He was then made a knight in 2017 for his services to athletics.

Early Life and Education

Hussein Abdi Kahin was born on March 23, 1983. When he was young, he was brought to the United Kingdom. He was given the name Mohamed Farah. He was made to look after another family's children. He became a British citizen in July 2000. He did not talk about these early experiences until 2022.

For a few years, he was not allowed to go to school. When he was 11 or 12, he started attending Feltham Community College. Staff were told he was a refugee from Somalia. His talent for running was first noticed by his physical education teacher, Alan Watkinson. Mo Farah had dreamed of becoming a car mechanic or playing football for Arsenal.

Sporting Career

Starting His Running Journey

Farah joined the Borough of Hounslow Athletics Club. He ran for Hounslow in the 1994 London Youth Games. In 1996, at age 13, he finished ninth in the English schools cross-country championships. The next year, he won the first of his five English school titles. A kind person named Eddie Kulukundis paid for Farah to become a British citizen. This helped him travel for competitions.

Farah won his first big title in the 5000 metres at the 2001 European Athletics Junior Championships. That same year, he started training at St Mary's University, Twickenham. He lived and trained there. He later became a full-time athlete.

First Big Wins and Best Times (2005–2008)

Farah at the 2008 European Cross Country Championships

In 2005, Farah moved in with other top runners. He said this helped him work harder. He wanted to be among the best in the world, not just in Britain.

In July 2006, Farah ran 5000 m in 13 minutes 9.40 seconds. This made him Britain's second-fastest runner. A month later, he won a silver medal at the European Championship 5000m. Paula Radcliffe encouraged him before the final. In December 2006, Farah won the 2006 European Cross Country Championships.

In 2007, Farah finished sixth in the 5000 m at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. In May 2008, he ran a very fast 10,000 m race. However, he did not reach the 5000 m final at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

British Records and European Champion (2009–2010)

In January 2009, Farah set a new British indoor record for the 3000 metres. He broke his own record a few weeks later. He said his training in Ethiopia and Kenya helped him. In March 2009, he won gold in the 3000 m at the European Indoor Championships in Athletics.

Farah competed at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. He finished seventh in the 5000 metres race. This was the best result for a European runner. He then won his first road race over 10 miles.

At the 2009 European Cross Country Championships, Farah won a silver medal. He needed medical attention after the race. Tests showed he had low iron and magnesium. He took supplements and continued his training.

Farah celebrating winning the 10,000 m at the 2010 European Athletics Championships

Farah won the 2010 London 10,000 race. He then improved his track time at the European Cup 10,000 m. After training in Africa, he won the 10,000 metres gold medal at the 2010 European Athletics Championships. This was his first major title. He then won the 5000 m, becoming only the fifth man to win both races at the European Championships.

In August 2010, Farah broke the British record for 5000 m. He became the first British athlete to run under 13 minutes. In December 2010, he was named track-and-field athlete of the year by the British Olympic Association.

European and British Records, and World Medals (2011–2012)

2011 was a great year for Farah. He won the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in January. In February 2011, Farah moved to Portland, Oregon. He wanted to work with a new coach, Alberto Salazar. In March 2011, he won gold in the 3000 metres at the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships. He also won the NYC Half Marathon, setting a new British record.

In June 2011, Farah won the 10,000 m event in Oregon. He set a new British and European record. In July 2011, he set a new British record in the 5000 m.

At the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, Farah won a silver medal in the 10,000 m. He then won gold in the 5000 m. He was the first British man to win a World Championships medal in these distances. In June 2012, he won the 5000m at the European Championships. This made him the first athlete to win this European title more than once.

Double Olympic Champion (2012)

Farah on the way to his first Olympic gold medal during the 10,000 m event at the 2012 Summer Olympics

At the London 2012 Olympics, Farah won the 10,000 m gold medal. This was Great Britain's first Olympic gold in this event. His training partner, Galen Rupp, came in second. On August 11, 2012, Farah won the 5000 metres gold medal. He dedicated his two gold medals to his twin daughters.

After his success, Farah was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Many people felt he deserved to be knighted.

1500 m Record and World Medals (2013)

In July 2013, Farah broke the European 1500 m record. His time of 3:28.81 made him the sixth fastest man ever over that distance. He became the only athlete to run very fast times in 1500 m, 5000 m, and 10,000 m. He also has a sub-1 hour time in the half-marathon.

Farah during his gold medal victory in the men's 3,000 metres event at the 2013 London Grand Prix.

In August 2013, Farah won the 3000 metres event at the London Diamond League. He also broke his own national record in the half-marathon twice.

On August 10, 2013, Farah won the 10,000 m event at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics. This was his fourth world title. On August 16, 2013, Farah won the 5,000 m event. He became a double world and Olympic champion. After this win, he was called 'Britain's greatest ever athlete'. He was the first British athlete to win two individual gold medals at a World Championships.

Double European Gold in Zürich (2014)

Farah started 2014 by preparing for the 2014 London Marathon. He finished in eighth place, setting a new English national record.

Farah on the way to victory in the 5000m men final of the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zürich.

Farah had to withdraw from the 2014 Commonwealth Games due to illness. He later competed at the 2014 European Athletics Championships. He won both the 5000 m and 10,000 m titles. This made him the most successful individual in the history of the European Athletics Championships. On September 7, 2014, Farah won the Great North Run half marathon. He set a personal best time of 1:00:00.

World and European Records (2015)

On February 21, 2015, Farah broke the indoor two-mile world record. He ran 8:03.4. On March 22, Farah broke the European record for half marathon in Lisbon. He ran 59 minutes, 32 seconds. He won both long-distance gold medals again at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics. His 10,000m win made him the oldest World Championship winner in that event at age 32.

Double-Double Olympic Golds at Rio (2016)

On March 26, Farah won a bronze medal at the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. In June 2016, Farah broke the 34-year-old British 3000 metre record. He dedicated this win to the boxer Muhammad Ali.

On August 13, Farah won a gold medal in the 10,000 metres at the Rio Olympics. This was the first time a Briton had won three Olympic gold medals in athletics. He fell during the race but still managed to win. On August 20, Farah won a second gold medal in the 5000 metres at the Rio Olympics. He became only the second person to win both the 5000m and 10,000m Olympic titles twice. In September 2016, he won the Great North Run for the third year in a row.

By 2016, he was the fastest European in several middle and long-distance events. His ninth world title in Rio made him the most frequent gold winner in major long-distance events.

Tenth World Title and Track Retirement (2017)

Farah announced he would switch from track events to the marathon after the 2017 World Championships in Athletics. He won the 10,000m event. He came second in the 5,000m event.

Farah won his last two track events in the Diamond League. On September 10, 2017, Farah won the Great North Run for the fourth time in a row. In October, Farah stopped working with his coach Alberto Salazar. He decided to be coached by Gary Lough.

Full-Time Marathon Runner (Since 2018)

In March 2018, Farah won the first London Big Half Marathon. In April 2018, Farah came third in the 2018 London Marathon. He broke the British record. On September 9, 2018, Farah won the Great North Run for the fifth time. At the 2018 Chicago Marathon, Farah won his first marathon gold medal. He set a new European record.

Planning a Track Return (2019)

Mo Farah (left), Bashir Abdi and Daniel Wanjiru compete in the 2019 London Half Marathon – finishing in that order.

In February 2019, Farah said he planned to run the London Big Half Marathon again. He also thought about competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He might also run the 10,000 metres at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Doha.

On March 10, 2019, Farah won his second London Big Half Marathon. In April, Farah finished fifth in the 2019 London Marathon. On September 8, 2019, Farah won the Great North Run for the sixth time. He set a new personal best. In November 2019, Farah announced he would return to track running. He wanted to defend his 10,000 m Olympic title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

2020 Achievements

On September 4, 2020, Farah set a new world record for the one hour run. He covered 21,330 metres. This broke the previous record set by Haile Gebrselassie.

2021 Season

Farah trained in Ethiopia and the United States. He then raced his first track 10,000m since 2017. He finished eighth, ending his undefeated streak in the 10,000m. Farah later said he had a foot/ankle injury.

On June 25, 2021, Farah did not qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He ran the 10,000m in 27:47.04, which was not fast enough. He said, "If I can't compete with the best I'm not just going there to finish in a final."

"Mobot" Celebration

Mo Farah with his "Mobot" signature pose at the 2013 London Anniversary Games.

Farah often celebrates his wins with a special dance called the "Mobot". He started doing this after a TV show in May 2012. The host, James Corden, suggested a new dance. Clare Balding came up with the "M" gesture, like in the song "YMCA". Corden then named it the "Mobot". A robot was even named "Mobot" after his celebration. Farah uses the pose to raise money for his charity foundation.

Personal Life

Family and Interests

Farah lives in London, England. In July 2022, Farah shared that his birth name was Hussein Abdi Kahin. When he was young, he was brought to the UK by a woman he did not know. He was told to use the name Mohamed Farah. He was made to work for her family. When he was 12, he started school and told his PE teacher about his situation. His teacher helped him get fostered by another family and apply for British citizenship. As an adult, Farah has reconnected with his birth family.

In April 2010, Farah married Tania Nell. They have a stepdaughter, Rihanna, and twin daughters, Aisha and Amani, born in 2012. In 2015, they had a son named Hussein. From 2011 to 2017, Farah lived in Portland, Oregon, for training. At the end of 2017, he moved back to London with his family. He said they missed their friends and family in the UK.

Farah is a Muslim. He prays before races and believes in working hard. He is a fan of Arsenal F.C. and has trained with their team. He hopes to become a fitness coach for Arsenal after he retires. In October 2013, he released his autobiography, Mo Farah, Twin Ambitions.

Farah is very popular on social media. He has many followers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Helping Others

Farah at the 2010 London Youth Games Hall of Fame and Awards Evening.

Farah helps with many charity projects. He started the Mo Farah Foundation after visiting Somalia in 2011. In 2012, he won £250,000 for his foundation on a TV game show called The Cube. He was the only person to win the top prize on the UK show. He also joined other athletes to discuss global hunger with the Prime Minister.

Olympic items signed by Farah have been sold to raise money for charity. In 2013, he joined a campaign to help people send money to family in other countries. He also asked the government to make sure big companies pay their taxes in poor countries. He supports research into brain tumours.

In August 2017, Farah became a global ambassador for Marathon Kids. He wants to inspire children to run and be active.

Coach and Investigations

In October 2019, Mo Farah's former coach Alberto Salazar was banned from athletics for four years. This was due to rule violations related to doping controls.

Awards and Honours

Athletics Awards

• 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016: British Athletics Writers' Association Award
• 2010: Best Senior Athlete of 2010 (UK Aviva Athletics Awards)
• 2011, 2012: European Athlete of the Year
• 2011: BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, 3rd place
• 2013: British Olympic Association Olympic athlete of the year
• 2015: World Record, 2-mile run
• 2017: Sportsman of the Year at the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs)
• 2017: 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, 1st place

Other Honours

• 2012: Winner of the British game show The Cube.
• 2013: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• 2013: Premier Inn Celebrity Dad of The Year
• 2013: Best at Sport award at the British Muslim Awards
• 2017: Created a Knight Bachelor for services to Athletics.
• 2023: Winner of The Taskmaster 'New Year Treat III'

Images for kids

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  Mo Farah (left), Bashir Abdi and Daniel Wanjiru compete in the 2019 London Half Marathon – finishing in that order.

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  Farah at the 2010 London Youth Games Hall of Fame and Awards Evening.

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  Wax statue of Farah at Madame Tussauds, London

|- | colspan="3" style="padding:0" |

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#eeeeee" |colspan ="3"| Men's athletics

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#eeeeee" |colspan ="3"| Representing  Great Britain

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| Olympic Games

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2012 London|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2012 London|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2016 Rio de Janeiro|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2016 Rio de Janeiro|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| World Championships

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2011 Daegu|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2013 Moscow|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2013 Moscow|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2015 Beijing|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2015 Beijing|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2017 London|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2011 Daegu|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2017 London|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| Diamond League

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2017|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| World Half Marathon Championships

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor="#cc9966"| Bronze|| 2016 Cardiff|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| European Championships

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2006 Gothenburg|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2010 Barcelona|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2010 Barcelona|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2012 Helsinki|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2014 Zürich|| 5000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2014 Zürich|| 10,000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| European Indoor Championships

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2009 Torino|| 3000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2011 Paris|| 3000 m

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| European Cross Country Championships

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2006 San Giorgio su Legnano|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2008 Brussels|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2009 Dublin|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2009 Dublin|| Team

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor="#cc9966"| Bronze|| 2008 Brussels|| Team

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| Half Marathon

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2019 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2018 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2017 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2016 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2015 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2014 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=silver| Silver|| 2013 Newcastle|| Individual

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#cccccc" |colspan ="3"| World Marathon Majors

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2018 Chicago|| Marathon

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor="#cc9966"| Bronze|| 2018 London|| Marathon