• Athletics

Farah vows to stay grounded

ESPN staff
August 28, 2012
Mo Farah has become a global superstar following his two gold medals at London 2012 © PA Photos
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Mo Farah has vowed to stay focused following his double triumph at London 2012.

The Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion enjoyed a hero's reception on his return to competition at a Diamond League meeting in Birmingham on Sunday as fans performed his signature 'Mobot' celebration following the Brit's victory over two miles.

Farah, whose wife gave birth to twin daughters on Friday, insists he will not lose the hunger to win medals and knows that he will be a marked man next season.

"If I wasn't running well and winning medals I wouldn't be in this situation, so it's important that you get on with what you do and what got you there and you don't forget that," Farah said.

"Next year it's going to be a harder year, because there are a lot more people with their eyes on me, who are hungry and want to beat me. When you are at the top it's hard to stay at the top, so I've got to keep that in my mind and stay motivated. I've got to keep doing what I'm doing."

Farah also paid tribute to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt for maximising up the global appeal of athletics.

"I've known him for so long," Farah said of Bolt. "When I got married he sent me a video message to congratulate me.

"He's just a normal guy you can have a laugh with and he's a great athlete. What he's done for the sport is unbelievable. Not many people used to be big fans of athletics - it was always football. But thanks to him there're lot more people watching athletics."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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