Sir Mo Farah to give London Marathon 'one last shot' then consider coaching role

31 January 2023 , 07:38

1083     0

Farah: 'For me to be taking part in the London Marathon, it’s quite a big deal, so I’m very excited' (Image: Getty Images)

Sir Mo Farah plans to turn to coaching after confirming 2023 will be his last year as an elite athlete.

The four-time Olympic champion will run the TCS London Marathon on April 23 to make up for withdrawing injured from the last one.

But he said: “This will probably be my last year. I’m not going to go to the Olympics and I’ve nothing left to prove.

“I’ll do London and see where I am. I’m not a spring chicken any more but I want to give myself one more shot and see what I can do.”

Farah, whose best London finish was third in 2018, will be 40 by the time of the race.

World's oldest Olympian, who competed at London Games in 1948, dies aged 107

This will be the fourth time Farah has raced the full London Marathon (Getty)

These days he takes as much pride from daughter Aisha competing in cross country for Walton AC as he does from his own exploits.

It is that ability to inspire the younger generation which is drawing Britain’s most decorated athlete towards a coach-mentor role.

“It’s not long to go until I retire and when I do finally stop I’d love to show what you can do with hard work and grafting,” he said.

“I have my coaching licence and would love to go down that route and give back, particularly to British athletes.

Eilish McColgan, Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist in Birmingham last summer, will make her marathon debut (David Ramos/Getty Images)

“When I started it was only me, now it’s Laura Muir and a lot of British athletes coming through and taking the path I’ve taken.

“That legacy means a lot to me.”

Jake Wightman, Britain’s 1500m world champion, will miss the indoor season after a training accident in South Africa.

Jake Wightman, seen winning 1500m world title in Eugene last summer, will miss indoor season due to injury (Adam Warzawa/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Wightman, 28, sprained his midfoot doing a gym plyometric workout and has flown home with his right foot in a protective boot.

"I was looking forward to the indoor season," said the Scot, who had lined up the European Indoor Championships in five weeks time. "But now the focus is on getting back to running as quickly and safely as possible."

Alex Spink