In 2022, the most successful British track athlete in history revealed that the name everyone knew was not his own.
In a BBC documentary, Sir Mo Farah said he had been born Hussein Abdi Kahin in Somaliland, the self-declared state in the north of Somalia. His father was killed in civil violence when he was four. At about nine, he was taken to Britain by a woman he did not know, using false documents in the name of Mohamed Farah, and made to look after another family’s children as a domestic servant.
Rescue through running
When he was eventually allowed to attend school in London, his PE teacher, Alan Watkinson, noticed his talent and his distress. Farah confided in him, and Watkinson helped him move to live with a Somali family and later to obtain British citizenship. Running became his escape.
The golds
Farah trained in Britain and the United States and became one of the greatest distance runners of his era. At the London 2012 Olympics, on what became known as Super Saturday, he won the 10,000 metres, and a week later he won the 5,000 metres. At Rio 2016, he won both again, despite falling during the 10,000 metres final.
He also won multiple world championship titles. His “Mobot” celebration, arms curved above his head, became famous worldwide.
Knighthood
Farah was knighted in 2017 for services to athletics. He moved to the marathon and set a British record, and he retired from elite racing in 2023.
The revelation
Farah said he decided to tell his story to challenge public perceptions of trafficking and slavery. The Home Office said it would not take action against his citizenship. His story prompted wider discussion about trafficked children in Britain.
Controversies
Farah’s career was also shadowed by questions over his former coach, Alberto Salazar, who was later banned from the sport for doping violations. Farah was never accused of breaking anti-doping rules and has always denied wrongdoing.
Family
Farah’s mother and brothers still live in Somaliland, where his success made him a hero. He is married to Tania Farah and has four children.
Legacy
He won four Olympic gold medals and a knighthood under a name that was given to him by his traffickers. He has said he still thinks of himself as Mo, the name his children and fans know.
The boy who arrived in London as someone else ended up as the person Britain cheered loudest on Super Saturday.
