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ARISE, SIR MO

Mo Farah celebrates knighthood with ‘Mobot’ outside Buckingham Palace

SIR MO FARAH struck his trademark 'Mobot' pose to celebrate his knighthood.

The four-time Olympic champion was honoured at Buckingham Palace for his services to athletics on Tuesday.

 Mo Farah strikes his trademark 'Mobot' pose outside Buckingham Palace
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Mo Farah strikes his trademark 'Mobot' pose outside Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association


And he celebrated his gong with his wife Tania after dropping to one knee in front of the Queen.

Farah wore pinstripe trousers with a tophat and tails, plus a cream waistcoat and blue tie.

Sir Mo said: "As an eight-year-old coming from Somalia and not speaking a word of English, to be recognised by your country, it is incredible.

"Over the years you dream of becoming something or doing something in your career, to take it to the highest level and become an Olympic champion - that was always the dream.

On being handed the honour by the Queen, Sir Mo said she told him he has been "going too long" and asked him if he has retired.

 Mo Farah goes down on one knee to receive his knighthood from the Queen
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Mo Farah goes down on one knee to receive his knighthood from the QueenCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mo Farah with his wife Tania after receiving the gong
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Mo Farah with his wife Tania after receiving the gongCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mo Farah raises his hat outside the Palace with Tania and his medal
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Mo Farah raises his hat outside the Palace with Tania and his medalCredit: PA:Press Association

Farah added: "I said 'no, I am going to run the London Marathon - I want to go into roads'. She said that's marvellous.

Quizzed on whether he had taught the monarch to do the Mobot, letting out a loud chuckle, he said no as it is "far too rude - not in Buckingham Palace".

He added: "I've got myself a season ticket for Arsenal. So when I come back I am going to enjoy it - back fully into London life.

"It is a special occasion for my wife too, she is that person who always supports me and put up with me for so many years."

Farah, who called time on his track career at the end of the summer, is moving back to London from the United States to concentrate on running road marathons.

He quit track athletics after winning gold in the 10,000m at the 2017 World Championships in London.

 Mo Farah and Tania have four children together
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Mo Farah and Tania have four children togetherCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mo Farah receives his knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace
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Mo Farah receives his knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
 The Queen awards Mo Farah his medal on Tuesday
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The Queen awards Mo Farah his medal on TuesdayCredit: PA:Press Association

And he has told British Athletics chiefs he now wants to challenge for a marathon medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Farah was among 15 athletes yesterday granted main lottery funding for the next year — despite the fact he may not compete for Britain at a championships in 2018.

British performance director Neil Black said: "He is very positive about running the marathon in Tokyo.

"His words are, 'As long as I am fit, healthy and competitive, I will run'.

"He has always said he loves competing for his country and he loves winning medals. And as we all know, he is pretty good at both of those."

 Mo Farah exchanges a few words with the Queen at the ceremony
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 Mo Farah exchanges a few words with the Queen at the ceremonyCredit: PA:Press Association

 

 Mo Farah poses for a family snap outside Buckingham Palace
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Mo Farah poses for a family snap outside Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mo Farah was recognised for his four Olympic gold medals
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Mo Farah was recognised for his four Olympic gold medalsCredit: PA:Press Association


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In his 2014 debut over 26.2 miles in London, Farah finished eighth in 2hr 8min 21sec, four minutes behind winner Wilson Kipsang.

But he knows championship marathons are usually slower than the big city races and that he has more chance of winning them.

 Farah poses in his tophat and tails ahead of the ceremony
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Farah poses in his tophat and tails ahead of the ceremonyCredit: PA:Press Association
 Mo Farah won the 5,000m and 10,000m at Rio 2016
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Mo Farah won the 5,000m and 10,000m at Rio 2016Credit: AFP
 The British running legend ended his track career after the 2017 World Championships
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The British running legend ended his track career after the 2017 World ChampionshipsCredit: Getty Images
 farah does the 'Mobot' after winning the 5,000m in Birmingham this year
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farah does the 'Mobot' after winning the 5,000m in Birmingham this yearCredit: Getty

Black added: "There's absolutely no doubt he can be competitive in a championship race. I think he can run significantly faster than in 2014.

"It was a unanimous decision to give him funding. There is the possibility that he could represent the British team at a major championship over the marathon distance in the future."

Mo Farah splits with coach Salazar before returning home to London
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