Mo Farah announces he will return to the track in Tokyo 2020 – Runner’s World (UK)

There’s been a great amount of speculation over whether or not Sir Mo Farah will return to the track in Tokyo 2020, after retiring in 2017. Until now, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist has remained tight lipped, focusing on the marathon distance at London and Chicago this year. This morning, Farah announced on Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show he will compete in the 10,000m at Tokyo 2020.

Farah announced on the show, “Hello good morning, everyone. Yeah. I’ve been thinking. It’s taken me a little while and I’ve been thinking. After Chicago Marathon, I’ve taken a nice break with my family, just enjoyed being around my kids. And now for a little while, I was just thinking about Tokyo 2020. It’s not too far away. And I’ve really enjoyed the marathon, but, you know, having competed in the 10,000 before at London and then Rio, in the Tokyo 202 I would I like to compete in the 10000 meters. So come out of retirement and compete back on the track.”

Evans went on to ask Farah when he came to this decision, with Farah explaining it was after his eighth-place finish in Chicago in October. The four-time Olympic medalist fell off the pace of the leaders before the halfway point and trailed behind for the remainder of the competition. He finished eighth overall in 2:09:58, over four minutes behind 2019 Chicago race winner Lawrence Cherono of Kenya, who kicked to win the crown in 2:05:45. Farah said, “I decided after Chicago, not straight away, but it was it was on my mind. And one of the reasons is like, you know you watch telly and you watch the people, and was watching the World Championship in Doha. I watch the 10000 meters, and watch other races. And part of you gets excited, just like you seeing people winning medals, for your country and stuff, and you and you ask yourself.

“It almost felt like I needed to be there. And at that point it got me thinking and then after Chicago, like look, I still believe and I still got that drive and hunger. And all I want to do is just, you know, win races and do what I do best, but at the same time enjoy it. And I have enjoyed the marathon and I’m not finished with the marathon. But Tokyo I’d like to go out there and see what I can do for my country in Tokyo Olympics.”

Evans asked Farah exactly what he meant when he said he would be ‘carrying on with the marathon’, to which Farah explained, “So I wouldn’t do it mainly. To be clear I’m concentrating on the 10000 meters for Tokyo 2020. And then after that have fun with a marathon and do what I need to do. But mainly Tokyo go out there and compete on the track and before Tokyo, as I’ve done over the years, it involved doing one or two races, maybe even three or four races and kind of just see where you are. What training, what can you change? And hopefully, you know, you see things that you’re not so good at, things that are so good. And that’s how you work, which a marathon has been tough because you can only race every six months once and then you have to wait a whole six months. It’s just, is it is different.”

Farah, who will be 37 at the Olympics next year, went on to say, “It’s great to be back, Chris as I said, you know, you have to enjoy what you do. And I do love it. And I’m just excited.” Evans asked who helped Farah make up his mind, asking whether he’d discussed the decision with his wife. Farah said, “The people you are closest to, your families are the closest. I did discuss with my wife and you kind of more believe and you talk to your coach, you talk to your agent and you talk to people that you’re close with and people who knows you. But mainly it came down to me. You have to enjoy what you do. And I sometimes think, you know, having the best chance in Tokyo Olympic team and do well for your country and win medals. I still got a chance on Olympics. Why would you turn it down?”

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