• London Olympics 2012

Farah pulls out of Birmingham Olympic trials

Mo Farah won 5000m gold at last year's World Championships © PA Photos

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• Profile: Mo Farah

Mo Farah disappointed the paying public on Saturday, withdrawing from the Olympic Trials in Birmingham in order to rest.

Farah had run the heats for the 1500m on Friday, in an attempt to improve his speed, and he had previously stated his need to get used to recovering quickly in between races. However, he failed to follow through with those plans, pulling out of the weekend's action.

The 29-year-old will instead concentrate on defending his European 5000m title in Helsinki next week. Farah tweeted: "Sorry I can't be at the trials today guys. I need to rest as much a possible and save my legs to defend my European title next week."

The Brit's withdrawal comes less than 24 hours after Phillips Idowu's pull-out due to injury, and Farah had earlier revealed his intention to focus all his energy on winning the 10,000m gold medal at London 2012, with the 5000m event a mere bonus.

Farah is one of Team GB's major medal hopes at the summer Olympics, having picked up gold and silver medals at last year's World Championships. Holder of multiple British records, it is hoped he may even be able to succeed at two distances in London.

The long distance runner picked up gold in the 5000m at the 2011 Worlds, while his silver came in the 10,000m event. However, it is the longer distance he is favouring heading into London 2012.

"The 10k is my priority, the 10k comes before the 5k so it all depends on how I feel, that's when I take a decision on that," Farah told Sky Sports News.

"I'm taking one event at a time and concentrating. It's five weeks away now, so I've just got to stay healthy and injury-free.

"After that, I need to keep performing and doing what I'm doing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.