Mo blimey! 50-1 shot Farah’s shock BBC poll victory
SIR Mo Farah was the shock winner of the Sports Personality of the Year award last night, upsetting odds of 50-1.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist beat bookies’ favourite Anthony Joshua, who finished outside the top three.
On a night of surprises, Sir Mo was unable to give an acceptance speech because the video link connecting the runner – who was in London – to the ceremony at Liverpool’s Echo Arena cut out seconds after he was announced as the winner.
Superbikes champion Jonathan Rea was second, while paralympian and Strictly star Jonnie Peacock was placed third.
Sir Mo, one of 12 contenders for the award, which is voted for by the public, has been shortlisted five times before.
In a subsequent interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: ‘I didn’t see this coming, I thought I wasn’t going to win it.
‘It’s something special, it’s pretty amazing. I watch BBC Sports Personality of the Year every year and it’s incredible to actually win this.’
The runner, who was forced to settle for a silver medal in his final major track race, the 5,000m in the World Championships in London in August, was unable to attend the ceremony because he had to look after his children. Olympic gold medal-winner Denise Lewis posted on Twitter: ‘Finally! Well done Mo Farah, at last the recognition you deserve for your brilliance.’
In the arena, runner Paula Radcliffe’s husband Gary Lough could be seen mouthing the words ‘****ing joke’ as Sir Mo, 34, was announced as the winner – though it was unclear whether he was referring to the video link glitch.
The sports star had become embroiled in doping allegations concerning his controversial coach Alberto Salazar, who was the subject of an inquiry in 2015.
But, after originally standing by him, Sir Mo parted ways with the Oregon-based coach in October. He denies any wrongdoing. Cyclist Chris Froome had been third favourite to win, until it emerged last week that he had failed a drugs test during his victory of the Vuelta a Espana earlier this year.