LEGENDS AT WAR
Gebrselassie & Farah in angry bust-up over hotel theft claim
SIR MO FARAH sparked an astonishing war of words with fellow athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie last night.
Rather than focus on Sunday’s London Marathon, Farah launched an attack on Gebrselassie over a theft in a hotel owned by the Ethiopian in which the British star claims he had a watch, two phones and £2,579 in cash stolen.
A furious Gebrselassie responded by alleging “multiple reports of disgraceful conduct” by Farah and his entourage during their stay.
Most seriously of all he claimed that multi-Olympic and world champ Farah had been reported to police for “attacking a married athlete in the hotel gym”.
Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic champ, said he considered Farah’s attack defamatory and has put the matter in the hands of his lawyers. The day had begun with Farah and marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge discussing their duel on London’s streets.
But after answering the final question, Farah chose to call out Gebrselassie for doing nothing to help him retrieve his possessions.
He detailed how during a stay last month at the Yaya Africa Athletics Village, a high-altitude training centre near Addis Adaba, his room was broken into with a key that he said he had left with reception while he went out for an early morning training run on his 36th birthday.
“There was no working safe in the room, hotel staff were dismissive and I had to force the police to investigate,” fumed Farah.
“So I sent Haile a message to tell him what had happened but he didn’t reply. He didn’t respond even though that’s his hotel.” After trying without success to speak to Gebrselassie he fired off a text in which he wrote: “I want to inform you I’m disappointed you have not made any effort to find my stolen money, and especially my watch. I have tried to contact you by telephone several times. Know that I am not responsible for what I say during the press conference in London and what influence it will have on your personality and your business. Greetings, Sir Mo.”
At that media appearance yesterday, Farah added: “I just want him to take responsibility for getting my stuff back.” Gebrselassie issued a detailed response in which he said that once the hotel had been notified of the theft the police were informed and five members of staff spent three weeks in custody before being released without charge.
“The police were doing all their investigation thoroughly,” said Gebrselassie, “but found nothing on the reported robbery case.” He then claimed that despite giving him a 50 per cent discount on his stay, Farah left the hotel without paying his $3,000 service bill.
“There were multiple reports of disgraceful conduct,” Gebrselassie further alleged, “he was reported to the police for attacking a married athlete in the gym. But due to my mediation role, the criminal charge was dropped.
“I found today’s accusations made by Mo as an act of defamation on my reputation and business. My lawyers will deal with the matters accordingly.”
A spokesperson for Farah said of Gebrselassie’s claims: “Mo disputes all of these claims which are an effort to distract from the situation.
“Despite many attempts to discuss this issue privately with Mr Gebrselassie, he did not respond. But now that he has, Mo would welcome him or his legal team getting in touch so that this matter can be resolved.”
There was disgraceful conduct.. he was reported to the police for attacking a married athlete in the gym