Olympic hero Mo Farah lifts lid on retirement plan as glittering career reaches twilight

Farah didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Olympics this summer, and has accepted the fact his medal-laden career is coming to an end

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Farah misses out on Olympics after falling short of qualifying time

Mo Farah insists he has one more huge summer event left in him, and wants to end his glittering running career on a high.

The long-distance runner has racked up more athletics titles than anyone else in British history, including four Olympic gold medals and six world championship titles.

But he will be 39 early next year and, realistically, does not have much time left to be able to compete at the top of the sport.

Farah insists, though, that he can still make an impact at one of next summer’s big athletics events.

With the world championships in Oregon, Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the European championships in Munich to look forward to, the Briton is confident he can bow out on a high in 2022.

Mo Farah’s retirement from competitive athletics may not be too far away
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“I’m not done yet. As long as my body allows me,” Farah told The Sun.

“The desire is still there, the hunger is still there. At the same time, it’s what my body can do.

“Obviously, I’m 38. That’s not going to lie. I’m getting on a bit but the belief is still there. I’ll see what I can do.”

Farah last competed in June when he failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and has been out of action since while nursing an ankle injury.

He is now pain-free, though, and hopes to head abroad for warm-weather training in January if his leg has fully healed.

“The most important thing is to take care of this injury, make sure I am right, and get back to what I can do,” he added.

“You will see me in terms of GB. I’ve done so well for my country throughout so many years. But I won’t just put on the GB vest. You have to earn it.”

The I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here star says one last Olympics is out of the question, as he would be 41 years old by that point and unable to compete at the very pinnacle of the sport.

Mo Farah failed to qualify for the Olympics on his last competitive appearance
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He is even reluctant to say he will definitely be able to compete at one of the big events next summer, and knows he has work to do if he is going to make it.

“The world champs in Oregon? Listen, I couldn’t even qualify for Tokyo – so that’s the first step you know,” Farah continued. “You cannot just say I’m going to the world champs.

“The first step is get yourself back in there, feel comfortable where you are at.

“You go there not just to make the team but to be able to be in a shout with the rest. Over the years, I took it for granted.”