Mo out to complete a perfect 10 titles tonight
SIR MO FARAH prepared to take on the world one last time and roared: Bring it on!
The British star needs 10,000 metres gold tonight at a packed London Stadium to complete a perfect 10 successive global titles.
And ahead of his final track championships, he admitted: “I know I have a target on my back going into this race. I know I am the man to beat.
“But that gives me confidence. I can’t wait to get on that track. Bring it on!”
Farah believes the home crowd will power him to glory – just as they did at London 2012.
He said: “London has always been an emotional place for me to run, especially 2012, with the support I received then. Oh man, I’ll never forget that roar!
“And this will be my last time competing on this track, so I am sure it will be emotional after the race – but, for now, I have a job to do. I have worked so hard to be here and I have to remain focused.”
Farah once again goes to the start line with questions being asked of his coach Alberto Salazar, who remains under investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Salazar denies any wrongdoing but the ongoing situation, and the insinuations that accompany it, has not been helpful to Farah.
Not that you would have known it as he bounced into his home town for one final hurrah, before turning to road running.
The 34-year-old has arrived with the clear intention of completing the long-distance double for an unprecedented third consecutive World Championships.
“I’m confident, but I’m not complacent,” said the man who won the 10,000m and 5,000m in Moscow and Beijing.
“I start every race with the intention of winning. I know the others will try out different tactics to stop me, but I am going to try and control the race and run it my way.” Key to Farah’s self-belief is the high altitude training block he has just completed, in which he added the finishing speed he lacked at the Anniversary Games.
“Twelve days ago Mo did something in training without killing himself that confirmed to him that he is ready,” team boss Neil Black revealed. “He finished the session, took his shoes off, and said, ‘That’s it, job done’.
“So, you’re going to see something pretty special.”
With the 5,000m to come a week tomorrow, Farah added: “I’ve really put in the graft to make sure I’m in the best shape I can be in.
“It’s paid off and I’m happy with my form now.”