ir Mo Farah says his family is his “proudest achievement” and that he created his revelation BBC documentary about his past “for them”.
The four-time Olympic champion’s new film, entitled The Real Mo Farah, gives shocking details about how he was illegally brought to the UK under the name of another child.
Prior to the broadcast, Sir Mo, 39, shared a photo of his wife and children with Union Jack flags on Instagram.
He wrote: “I am so proud to have represented Great Britain and achieved what I have as a GB athlete.
“But my proudest achievement will always be to be a husband and father to my amazing family.
“I made this documentary for them so they could understand more about the experiences that led us to become the family we are today.
“Not every child will have the easiest start in life, but that doesn’t mean they can’t continue pursuing their dreams.
“I hope you all watch it later and I can’t wait to hear what you think.”
Sir Mo said he was “relieved” the Home office would take no action against him after revealing the information, adding: “I am simply grateful for every chance I have in Britain to embrace my country.”
In the documentary, broadcast on Wednesday evening, Sir Mo tells how he Somalia illegally, after he took another child’s name, after his father was killed in the civil war.
He was later helped to obtain British citizenship by his PE teacher Alan Watkinson, while still using the name Mohamed Farah.
In conversation with journalist Amol Rajan next to his wife Tania, Sir Mo said: “I am relieved. This is my country.
“If it hadn’t been for Alan and the people who supported me during my childhood, I might not even have had the courage to do this.
“There are many people to whom I owe my life, especially my wife who has been very supportive throughout my career and who has given me the strength to come and talk about it and tell me it’s okay to do this.” to do.”
Speaking about other child trafficking victims, he added: “No child wants to be in that situation. I had made the choice for me, and so young.
“I’m just grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given in Britain to embrace my country, and I’m proud to represent my country the way I did.
“That’s all I could do within my control – I had no control when I was younger about where I went. That decision was made for me and taken from me.”
When asked what happened to the woman who brought him to the UK, Sir Mo said he has no desire to contact her: “The production team contacted the lady but she wouldn’t give anything and that is all I know.”
“No, I don’t have any contact with her and I don’t want to.”
He described the wave of support following his announcement as “unbelievable”.
He added: “It was always my story. I didn’t even feel comfortable enough to talk about it with my family. I couldn’t talk about it publicly.
“It’s taken me a long time to get to this point, but I’m glad I made this documentary to show people the reality of what really happened to me as a kid.”
His wife Tania said she experienced a “range of emotions” after hearing about his true past.
She said: “My first reaction was heartbreak and sadness for him. I immediately imagined nine-year-old Mo who was so helpless and vulnerable.
“Then I also felt angry at the people who did that to him, who did that to him.”
She said her husband is now “finally giving permission to feel those feelings of aches and pains,” and she described the documentary as a “form of therapy.”
The Metropolitan Police has said it is “assessing” Sir Mo’s allegations that he was smuggled into the UK as a child and forced to work as a domestic servant.
Police said in a statement: “We are aware of media reports about Sir Mo Farah.
“There have been no reports to the MPS (the Metropolitan Police Service) at this time.
“Specialized officers are currently reviewing the information available.”
Sports presenter Gary Lineker was among those to praise Sir Mo ahead of the documentary’s broadcast.
He tweeted: “Incredible story. Will definitely watch tonight.”
The Real Mo Farah aired on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday and is available on iPlayer.