Farah’s ‘great gesture’ as he gifts vest to Butchart
he now prepares to switch full-time to the roads, it will not fade away, even though there were strong hints that he will not pull on a national vest again.
“It’s been amazing. It’s been incredible,” Farah said. “Now it’s finally done, I won’t be competing for Great Britain, in terms of major championships, I won’t be taking part. It feels a bit sad. Obviously I think I will feel it more when I watch itontv and see the guys, athletes I train with and people I have been in the circle with, I think it might detach me a little bit. But at the same time it has been an honour.”
As the UK’S lone individual medallist at this month’s world championships, his departure will leave an obvious void. It can, he ventured, be filled by young pretender Andy Butchart who came fourth but with high hopes for more. Farah took off his vest and gifted it to the Scot with a message of hope.
“This is me done, take over from me and just inspire them, see what hard work is about and what it takes to be a champion. He has got a great attitude and we need to inspire the next generation. I gave it to him because he’s a great athlete, he gives 110 per cent and is learning over the years.”
Butchart will keep it safe. “It is such a great gesture for him to give it to me,” he said. “I’ll definitely look after it and cherish it.”
Elsewhere, Jake Wightman saw off Edinburgh clubmate Chris O’hare to win the historic Emsley Carr Mile in a boost ahead of Thursday’s Diamond League final in Zurich. Lynsey Sharp was second in the 800m while Eilish Mccolgan smashed her personal best to take fourth in the 3,000 min 8:31.00 behind world bronze medallist Sifan Hassan.