TAKE A MO TO VOTE

Along with the rest of the nation, I was on my feet on Friday evening with my family cheering Sir Mo Farah home to gold in the world athletics 10,000m.

His achievements are remarkable: gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m stretching back to 2012 in every major championship.

And who would bet against him in this week’s 5,000m?

But there is so much to admire about Mo Farah besides his ability on the track. He arrived in this country an eight-year-old boy from Somalia who spoke no English. His dedication to training as a child allowed him to become the greatest distance athlete the UK has ever seen. And that dedication remains today. He trains apart from his family in the States for large chunks of the year, doggedly putting in the miles despite having nothing left to prove.

It’s clear he adores his family. Anybody who saw him celebrating with his baby, twins and stepdaughter on his lap of honour on Friday evening could see that. I can’t imagine the pain it takes to spend so much time away from them. Remarkably, one title still eludes him – BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He’s never even finished in the top three. You have to wonder why.

So this is my call to the public – let’s get behind Mo for SPOTY this year. An athlete and a man who exemplifies the very best of Britain.