We are showcasing each of the 16 contenders in the run-up to the Sports Personality of the Year award on 18 December. Today – Mo Farah and Kadeena Cox.
Mo Farah – Age: 33 Sport: Athletics
Year in a nutshell
Farah completed a ‘double double’ as he won his fourth Olympic gold and became only the second man to retain the 5,000m and 10,000m titles.
The Somali-born Londoner, who overcame a fall in the 10,000m, is a nine-time global champion and Britain’s most successful Olympic track and field athlete of all time.
Farah also broke a 34-year British record for the 3,000m and won the Great North Run for a record third consecutive year in 2016.
How did he get here?
Moved to England aged eight to join his father Mukhtar and his sporting talent was soon spotted.
He dreamed of playing on the right wing for Arsenal, but was steered towards running by sports teacher Alan Watkinson.
After finishing ninth in the English schools cross-country championship at 13, he won the race the following year.
Farah landed the European junior 5,000m crown in 2001 and, 10 years later, took his first world title in the event.
He has since won, and retained, the world and Olympic titles at both 5,000m and 10,000m. Finland’s Lasse Viren is the only other man to have completed the Olympic long-distance double – at Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976.
Farah is the world’s most successful distance runner in terms of major medals – having moved ahead of Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele.
What he said: “It has been a long journey but if you dream of something, have ambitions and are willing to work hard then you can get your dreams.”
What you say
Chris Self: “Easy choice. Number one in the world at two distances since 2011 and won every major title in that time.”
Andy Cooper: “I hope that the public finally recognise the achievements of @mo_farah this year – a great athlete, unfairly overlooked previously.”
Geoffrey Camperage: “Really hope Mo Farah at least gets in top three for #SPOTY. Double world and Olympic champion. Our greatest ever runner.”
Sports Personality record: Seventh, 2015; Fourth, 2013; Fourth, 2012; Third, 2011. Of the 17 athletics winners, Paula Radcliffe was the last long-distance runner to triumph, in 2002.
Sunday, December 11, 2016