SIR MO FARAH ON EMBRACING SPORT AT SCHOOL

He is one of our greatest Olympic champions, winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012. And almost ten years later – with two more Olympic golds at Rio and a knighthood to his name – Sir Mo Farah tells us why he’s a strong believer in keeping children active and encouraging an interest in sport early on.

“Growing up, the number one thing for me was being outside,” he tells hello!, as part of our Back to School digital special, guest edited by Giovanna Fletcher – his campmate in the 2020 series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

Sir Mo was born in Somalia but moved to London at the age of eight. “I never even thought about staying at home because home for me was boring,” he says.

Married to Tania and dad to Rhianna, 16, twin daughters Aisha and Amani, nine this month, and five-year-old son Hussein, Mo is passionate about investing in the next generation.

“It’s really important for kids to be active and get into sports, no matter what sport it is,” he says.

“Kids nowadays are getting distracted in many ways, in terms of social media and other stuff, and they don’t get outside and be active and get into different sports.

“The social part is a big part. How do we make it more fun? How do we make it more challenging? Not putting on too much pressure, but getting them out and enjoying it?”

There’s no doubt he is an inspiration to all young athletes – his hard work and determination resulted in fantastic success and he’s keen to encourage children to have the same.

“I love to be able to spend my time with schools, visiting the kids and connecting with the kids,” he says.

“I think that’s my next mission – to do something with the kids and all around schools in the UK and actually see them in person. Talk to them, encourage them.”

He continues: “I think it’s important that kids engage with us because they see you on telly. But when it comes down to it, I never just climbed up the ladder and went: ‘I’m here.’ It’s taken me a long time to get to that.

“And also to give them a dream, hope. I think that’s the key.

“In my career, lots of it is finding the right people, connecting and then seeing: ‘What’s the work ethic? How much work do they do?’”

Mo also encourages his own children to stay active – and it seems they’re following his advice.

“Each one of my kids is different so I have to find out what they’re good at, what they enjoy and try and bring that into it,” he says. “My son is very active and sporty and the girls, too, do a lot of running around and play football.”

How do his children feel about his Olympic achievements? “They don’t quite understand,” he says. “They get it, but don’t quite get it.

“They know you have to work hard and that’s the key thing I want to do. It’s not something you just get. That’s what I’m trying to teach them.

“Anything they do, as long as they work hard, stick at it.”