• Athletics

Shock loss will help Farah - Van Commenee

ESPN staff
February 22, 2012
Mo Farah finished second over two miles at the Aviva Grand Prix on Saturday © Getty Images
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UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee feels Mo Farah will benefit in the long-term from having his aura of invincibility shattered.

Farah, the 5,000 metres world champion, was surprisingly beaten over two miles by Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge at the Aviva Grand Prix on Saturday.

Aftewards, Farah complained about "feeling heavy" as he began his personal inquest into the disappointment - but Van Commenee sees no reason for concern ahead of London 2012.

"It's quite normal for athletes to get beaten - and quite healthy as well," Van Commenee told the Times. "There is an assumption that Mo is unbeatable, but that assumption is only in Britain.

"I don't think they think that in Kenya and Ethiopia. When athletes stay unbeaten for a number of years, the moment they get beaten comes closer every day, so that's out of the way now."

Farah has been included in the Great Britain & Northern Ireland squad for the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul next month, where he will run over 3,000m.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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