Sir Mo Farah: ‘If you start running in midlife, have a goal’

Fourteen years ago, Sir Mo Farah became the first British man to win the 10,000m Olympic gold medal. A week later, he became a double Olympic champion, winning the 5,000m gold to go with it. Then four years later in Rio, he did the same again. It was only in 2022 that he revealed he was born with the name Hussein Abdi Kahin, and was trafficked to the UK age nine, having been told he was joining relatives. Instead, he was forced into domestic servitude for a family of strangers – until he confided in his PE teacher, Alan Watkinson. Along with informing social services, who organised for Farah to be placed with another family, and applying for his British citizenship, Watkinson encouraged Farah to join the local running club. Following an incredible career, Farah retired in September 2023. Earlier this year, he relocated to Doha, Qatar with his wife and four children. Much of Farah’s time now is spent with his family, getting children into sport or working with charities, including Mind and Save the Children UK. I caught up with him for our Readers Ask series, where industry specialists answer questions from our Telegraph Recommended Reader Panel.