Mo Farah announced yesterday (July 24) that he will no longer be competing in the Commonwealth Games due to an illness that set him back in training.
The double Olympic and World 5,000m and 10,000m champion’s withdrawal will be a big blow to Glasgow’s organisers, who have already lost track and field stars Yohan Blake, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Farah broadcasted his withdrawal on Facebook yesterday morning: “I have taken the tough decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games. The sickness I had two weeks ago was a big set-back for me.”
Although the 31-year-old said his training out in Font Romeu is “getting better”, he insisted he needed a few more weeks of training under his belt before he is back in the sort of form he displayed in 2012 and 2013.
Farah added: “I really wanted to add the Commonwealth titles to my Olympic and World Championships but the event is coming a few weeks too soon for me as my body is telling me it’s not ready to race yet. Best wishes to my fellow athletes in Glasgow.”
Jan Paterson, Team England’s Chef de Mission, said the Briton’s withdrawal was a “big blow”, adding: “We wish Mo all the very best and hope to see him back to his peak very soon.”
