Mo Farah Biography

Mohamed Muktar Jama "Mo" Farah is a British distance runner who is the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medalist in both the 5000 m and 10,000 m. He is just the second athlete in modern Olympic Games history to successfully defend the 5000 m and 10,000 m titles; the first one was Lasse Virén. Though he mostly competes in the 5000 m and 10,000 m, he has also enjoyed considerable success in the 1500 m and the marathon. He also holds the British indoor record in the 3000 m and the current indoor world record for the two miles. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he moved with his family to the UK as a child in order to escape the politically chaotic situation in his home country. His initial years in the UK were difficult as he had trouble fitting in. A well-built and athletic lad, he took to sports at a young age, his first love being football. He was also very talented in athletics, an option he eventually chose. He won the English schools cross country championship – his first major national title at the age of 15 and there was no looking back. His national and international running career flourished over the years and he became one of the most decorated athletes in British athletics history.