In a documentary broadcast by the BBC on Tuesday, four-time British Olympic champion Mo Farah confessed to having arrived in the United Kingdom illegally and under a false identity. Originally from Somalia, Hussein Abdi Kahin, his real name, arrived across the Channel as a child and worked as a domestic before obtaining British citizenship requested by his PE teacher. The 39-year-old athlete was notably honored by the Queen of England for his medals and his records in cross-country running – he holds the European record for the 10,000m (26′46) and the world record for the hour race (21.330 km).
No prosecution initiated
In response to his revelations, the British Home Office assured that it would not take “any action against Sir Mo Farah. “. A government spokesperson was sympathetic to the athlete’s situation: “It is a shocking reminder of the horrors faced by those who are trafficked and we must continue to fight the criminals who take advantage of people. vulnerable. »
Mo Farah said he was “relieved” not to be the subject of a lawsuit: “For me, this is my country. No child wants to be in this situation. We made the decision for me. And I’m just grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had in the UK and proud to represent my country the way I did. His wife Tania says the documentary sounded like “a form of therapy” for the athlete.