sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Mo Farah Is Retiring The ‘Mo’ Name After Wrapping Up Track Career

Mo Farah Is Retiring The ‘Mo’ Name After Wrapping Up Track Career

He wants to leave that legacy behind as he focuses on marathons.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

It wasn't the glittering send-off that Mo Farah wanted last night at the World Championships for his final track event. His more than two-decade career ended with a silver medal in the 5,000-metre event, with Ethiopia's Muktar Edris winning gold.

It by no means diminishes the incredible feats he achieved between 2011 and 2017, where he nabbed 10 successive world titles; but the 34-year-old obviously would have wanted to hang up the boots with a gold medal in that event.

As he focuses his attention on marathons, Sir Mo Farah (whose full name is Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah) told reporters he wants to leave his 'Mo' brand behind: "My road name is Mohamed and I just feel like Mo is done. I need to forget about what I've achieved and what I've done."

Mo Farah in last ever race
Mo Farah in last ever race

Credit: PA

He added: "I've done my country and many people proud. It makes me proud to be British, to put British distance running on the map.

"Growing up in Teddington and seeing the Kenyans and Ethiopians winning, I never thought, 'One day, we'll be able to challenge them and beat them at their own game'.

"I hope I can leave that legacy behind - and get behind younger British kids and see what we can do. It will take 10-15 years to get the next best distance runner in terms of winning medals. But we need to start somewhere."

The 34-year-old also unleashed on media outlets who questioned whether he was a 'clean' athlete. During his career, when he was breaking and setting records, there was speculation that he was doping because of his relationship with coach Alberto Salazar; who is still under investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Mo Farah racing
Mo Farah racing

Credit: PA

Sir Mo said to the reporters: "Why bring it up year after year, making it into headlines? I've achieved what I have achieved - you're trying to destroy it. You can write what you like.

"I find it bizarre how certain ­people write certain things to suit how they want to sell the story. Sometimes, you guys get to me - you never write the facts. The fact is, over the years, I have achieved a lot through hard work and pain.

"If I have crossed the line - 'Mo Farah has done something wrong' - then prove it."

The athlete says he has a few races on his calendar, but will take a break and plan the rest of his future.

Good luck to him.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Athletics