30 December 2008

BRITAIN’S new distance running chief Ian Stewart believes Mo Farah is set to get his hugely promising running career back on track in 2009.

Farah confirmed today that he plans to compete in all three major UK Athletics indoor meetings this winter, starting with the Aviva International in Glasgow on January 31.

The 25-year-old claimed an encouraging silver medal at the European cross country championships a fortnight ago and former Olympic bronze medallist Stewart – now head of endurance at UK Athletics – says Farah has the talent to add to his medal tally in future years.

Stewart said: “There is no doubt that Mo has everything it takes to compete at the top in distance running and I’m looking forward to working with him to help him achieve that.

“We have such a proud history in this country of success at middle and long distance, and I believe we can get back to those days. Mo is hugely talented and – if he really applies himself – can play a big part in this revival.”

As well as making himself available for selection to the Glasgow match, Farah will also compete at the Aviva European Trials in Sheffield on February 14 and 15 followed by the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on February 21.

Farah has long been considered one of the rising stars of British track and field, a position underlined when he claimed a silver medal over 5000m at the 2006 European Championships.

However, the Somalia-born athlete was hugely disappointed not to make this year’s Olympic final in Beijing and will hope to make up for that disappointment in 2009.

Tickets for the Aviva International Match at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Saturday 31^st January are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.ukathletics.net