Inside Mo Farah’s life, including Olympic success, knighthood, being brought down to earth by his wife and £1.3m home
SIR Mo Farah was already a British icon before his latest revelation about his origins.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist, 39, has come clean about his life – bravely admitting he made up key details about moving to the UK.
He previously claimed to have joined his dad, but he was killed in the Somalian civil war.
But now, Mo, real name Hussein Abdi Kahin, has revealed in BBC TV documentary ‘The Real Mo Farah’ that he was trafficked here to work as a servant.
“There’s something about me you don’t know. It’s a secret that I’ve been hiding since I was a child,” he said on the show.
“I’ve been keeping it for so long, it’s been difficult because you don’t want to face it. Often my kids ask questions — ‘Dad, how come this?’ And you’ve always got an answer for everything, but you haven’t got an answer for that.
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“That’s the main reason in telling my story because I want to feel normal and not feel like you’re holding on to something.
“To be able to face it and talk about the facts, how it happened, why it happened, it’s tough. The truth is I’m not who you think I am. And now whatever the cost, I need to tell my real story.”
The Home Office has already said no action will be taken against Farah. However, it’s another fascinating chapter in the long-distance runner’s life.
And it’s a life to envy.
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Early years
Born in Somaliland in 1983, Mo was illegally trafficked to the United Kingdom via Djibouti to work for a woman he had never met, and then made to look after another family’s children.
For his first few years in the UK, he wasn’t allowed to go to school. But, when he turned 11 he began to attend Year 7 at Feltham Community College, where staff were told he was a refugee from Somalia.
His ambition in life was to be a right-winger for Arsenal, the football team he loves, or a car mechanic.
But when he joined the Borough of Hounslow Athletics Club in West London, he found his vocation in life.
In 2001, he won his first major title – the 5,000 metres at the European Athletics Junior Championship.
Five years later, his running took off – literally. He won silver at the European Championships in Goteborg doing the same distance.
His first gold arrived in 2010 when he miraculously won both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres races in Barcelona – again at the European Championships.
Two years later, his first Olympics, and it was gold once again in both those events in London 2012.
It set the stage for more success later in Rio 2016 – as Farah established himself as Britain’s most successful athlete.
Recognised by the Queen
In the New Year Honours of 2013, Farah was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Despite such a high-esteemed nod, many felt Mo deserved more. Ex-Prime Minister David Cameron rallied for Farah to be knighted.
In 2017, that became an eventuality.
Speaking after his knighting ceremony, Sir Mo said: “Over the years you dream of becoming something or doing something in your career, to take it to the highest level and become an Olympic champion – that was always the dream.
“As an eight-year-old coming from Somalia and not speaking a word of English, to be recognised by your country, it is incredible.”
Life of luxury
His success on the track earned him a greater life off it.
With a net worth believed to be around £5million, he soon splashed out on a luxury £1.3million pad in a posh area of West London in a private gated community in 2016.
There, he lives with wife Tania Neill – his longtime girlfriend who he met in West London – who he married in Richmond in 2010.
Athletic legends including Paula Radcliffe, Steve Cram, Hayley Yelling, Jo Pavey, Mustafa Mohamed and Scott Overall, who was an usher, all attended.
Farah has a stepdaughter named Rihanna with Tania, as well as three children of their own – twin daughters Aisha and Aman who came along in 2012 and a son called Hussein born in 2015.
Mo traditionally celebrated his victories trackside with Rhianna and Tania.
But his wife keeps a low-profile. Although, they did appear to have a disagreement at the 2012 Olympics as he came to see her in the stands.
Row aside, she is said to be his rock. Something she doesn’t believe is true.
“I don’t actually see myself that way,” she told Refinery29.
“I do what I can, and what’s necessary, but it’s a compliment because, obviously, he’s doing well. I’ll take it.”
Outside of athletics
Farah became a face on TV advertising Quorn – the veggie brand he became ambassador for in 2013.
So it was natural that reality TV would come calling. And it came in the shape of the gruelling I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2020.
And Mo won scores of new fans on the show – becoming the eighth celebrity to be voted off.
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Before that, he had to take part in the Fort Knocks challenge – where he was seen rummaging through boxes filled with slime and creepy crawlies in search of stars.
Although appearing on I’m A Celeb… endeared him to a more general public, you can’t help but feel his latest act has won him even more fans.