LONDON – Mo Farah and Britain’s other Olympic heroes are set to be included in new year honors list, with the Olympic chief asking PM Theresa May to relax the quota on sporting honors to ensure all gold medal winners are commended for their success in Rio.
“Being Sir Mo would be amazing,” the four-time gold medalist was quoted by Mirror on Monday, August 22.
“Just knowing where I grew up, where I come from, the journey I have taken. I didn’t even dream of becoming Olympic champion, let alone four times.
“Anything is possible, but for me it is up to the public and the people. I just have to enjoy what I do and keep winning medals for my country, because I just love winning.”
Farah, who was awarded a CBE after winning two gold medals at the 2012 London games, said he would be thrilled to receive a knighthood after repeating the feat at Rio.
Farah, who was awarded a CBE after winning two gold medals at the 2012 London games, has said he would be thrilled to receive a knighthood after repeating the feat at Rio.
The New Year honors list usually has a quota for sports competitors, but the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said she believed it should be suspended to allow Britain’s Olympic winners to be included.
The news appeared after May’s spokeswoman stressed there was “no formal cap” on the number of honors which could be awarded, although there are traditionally “ballpark figures that different sectors could expect,” The Independent reported.
“Where there are special circumstances and a particularly high number of deserving people, then the [honors] committees and Government would look at that,” she added.
“They should be about recognizing and rewarding great achievement and, my goodness, we have had that over the last two weeks.”
More Gold
In the middle of Rio celebrations, Mo promised to continue his search for gold medals in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
“I want to continue to Tokyo, but you have to be honest with yourself,” he said.
“I owe it to my kids and my family, so I will take it one year at a time. Now I’m heading to the world championships in London 2017.
“I owe that to the public and the people to turn up on the track. I could be back for Tokyo, but it depends on my body.”
Winning gold in 10,000m and 5000m races, Farah cemented his place as one of Britain’s greatest athletes with his double success four years ago.
Repeating the feat in 2012 and 2016, he became one of the world’s most successful distance runner in terms of major medals.
He is now a nine-time global champion, moving him above Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele.
Farah had already achieved the World Championships ‘double double’, successfully defending his 10,000m and 5,000m titles in Beijing last year.
For many, Farah’s prayer can help counter the damaging stereotypes of Muslims held by many around the world, with his Muslim faith being central to his excellence in sport.
Speaking of Mo’s gold haul, close friend and Olympic track medallist Brendan Foster said: “What a privilege to see this man collect a fourth Olympic medal in style. He did it the only way he knows how.
“Mo, you are more than a national treasure. You are the greatest we have ever had.”