Disappointed Mo Farah hints of role swap at Paris 2024
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah hinted he may have already ran his last Olympic Games, admitting the France 2024 games may be “too far of a stretch”.
The iconic British long-distance runner was not able to defend the 10,000m crown he won in the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, having missed the 10,000m selection time by 19 seconds.
It was the first time since 2004 he did not make the Team GB athletics team, which failed to win a gold medal for the first time in 25 years in Tokyo.
In 2016, Farah became the first athlete since Lasse Viren to win both 5000m and 10,000m in successive games.
However, after just falling short in the Tokyo games, Farah believes his presence at the Paris games in 2024 are more likely to be in a coaching capacity than competitor.
“You might see me as a coach going ‘Go on guys!’, Farah, who was promoting Huawei’s latest fitness smart watch, told Mirror Sport.
At 38-years-old, Farah’s stellar career and achievements have made him one of the most iconic British Olympians of all time.
As well as his four gold medals, Farah also became the second person after Kenenisa Bekele to win long-distance doubles at successive Olympics and World Championships.
With ten global title wins, he is the most decorated athlete in British athletics history, and his achievements were soon recognised by royalty when he was awarded a knighthood by her majesty the Queen for services to athletics.
However, while he feels the final curtain on his Olympics journey may have come to an end, he is back training again amid a possible return in the upcoming events.
“I am getting back into it slowly, and working hard to get in that work place,” said Farah.
“It was hard {missing out on the Olympics} I’m not going to lie, it was hard, it was tough.
“The most important thing for me is to get myself right, get myself in good shape.
“Who knows, we have got the Commonwealth games, the European championships, there is lots coming up.”
READ ALSOMo Farah out of Tokyo Olympics, fails to make 10,000m qualifying time
A packed schedule of athletics awaits next summer with the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2022 Athletics World Championships in Oregon USA next July, as well as the European Athletics Championships in August.
However, having just recovered from a stress fracture in his left foot, Farah is focusing on regaining his fitness and routine, before targeting any new medals.