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I'VE COME SO FAR

Olympic legend Mo Farah confirms major career announcement ahead of London Marathon and admits he’s ’emotional’

MO Farah admits the memory of 2012 will fire him through his final run through the streets of London on Sunday.

Britain’s greatest track athlete confirmed the London Marathon will be the final 26-mile race of his career, admitting: “My body can’t do it any more.”

Legendary long-distance runner Mo Farah celebrates double gold at London 2012
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Legendary long-distance runner Mo Farah celebrates double gold at London 2012Credit: PA
Farah shows the pain and joy as he wins the Olympic 10,000m 13 years ago
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Farah shows the pain and joy as he wins the Olympic 10,000m 13 years agoCredit: PA

Four-time Olympic champ Sir Mo, 40, said: “It’s definitely been quite emotional for the last couple of years. 

“For many years I took my body for granted.

“You are almost like a robot, doing the same thing year after year.

“But as you get older that totally changes because you can’t do what you used to do without getting injured.

“That’s why this will be my last marathon. I’m coming to the end but I know I went out there and won medals for my country.

“Sometimes I had a choice of going after medals or going after times.

"But I've always believed in going after medals - because medals are there for you forever.

“So Sunday will be emotional. I started by running and winning the mini-marathon when I was 14, then watching the senior race and telling myself I’d do that one day.

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“It’s important for me just to finish the race on Sunday but I will also have the memory of 2012, the whole country and people of the UK behind me.

“I still think back to London 2012 and that Super Saturday.

“What the three of us did (Farah, Greg Rutherford and Jess Ennis all won gold) still motivates me to keep going, and keep moving.”

Farah, who confirmed he has no intention of running in this year’s world championships, is expected to announce his farewell appearances after Sunday.

He added: “It will be quite emotional for me this time because I know it’s my last journey.

“It’s the end of the road. The key thing is not to let that get to me. Just go out there and run.”

The all-time great athlete shows his famous celebration at London 2012 and repeated his double victory in Rio four years later
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The all-time great athlete shows his famous celebration at London 2012 and repeated his double victory in Rio four years laterCredit: The Times
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