Categories: Athletics

Farah upbeat ahead of Olympic season

Twickenham’s Mo Farah has insisted he is in good shape for the Olympic season, despite struggling for form in some key races over the last few months.

Farah, 29, won world outdoor 5,000m gold and 10,000m silver in South Korea last summer, leading many to tip him for two Olympic titles at London 2012.

He has been unable to match those feats during the winter season, coming fourth in a controversial World Indoor Championships 3000m in Istanbul in March.

But Farah said: “Things are going well. I’ve had a good winter racing different distances to build up my speed and I’m feeling good going into the summer.

“I’m definitely where I need to be but there is still a lot of work to be done before August.”

Farah announced on Wednesday that his final warm-up for the Olympics will come over 5,000m at the London Diamond League meeting on Friday 13 July.

Last year he stormed to victory in the 3,000m on the Friday night of the Crystal Palace meeting, before going on to Worlds success.

“At Crystal Palace we always get a great crowd and I’m really looking forward to competing on home soil before the Olympics,” he said.

“I think home support really gives British athletes an edge over our rivals, and that support will not only make a massive difference to us at Crystal Palace but also at the Games.

Tickets are still available for both days of the event, which is expected to showcase many of the world’s top athletes in one of the last major events before the Olympics begin on 27 July.

Farah’s wife Tanya is expecting twins in September and he added: “It’s an exciting year for me and my family, so I’ve just got to keep my feet on the ground and continue doing what I’m doing.

“It’s an amazing year for British sport and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Follow Martin Gough on Twitter

This post was last modified on 02/05/2012

Martin Gough
Share
Published by
Martin Gough