Farah: I'm no money-grabber

Mo Farah insists his decision to run in the London Marathon was not down to money
19 April 2013

Mo Farah admits he has been hurt by suggestions his appearance at the Virgin London Marathon is primarily a money-spinning project.

Farah, who memorably became a double Olympic champion at 5,000 metres and 10,000m in the capital last summer, will run half of the course on Sunday before leaving the field. The decision not to complete the course has attracted some criticism, with others warning he risks looking like he is cashing in on his post-Olympic fame with a sizeable appearance fee.

But Farah said: "When you become Olympic champion and everything else when you go into a race, yes there are rewards. But for someone to say he's only doing it for those rewards is wrong and that hurts,"

He added: "It has come as a bit of a shock to me. Every race I do, am I only doing it for rewards?

"This race, in my heart, I'm here to learn about the course, learn about everything else. My aim is to come out here and learn about the race and get used to the course so that next year I'm ready to go. It's a no-brainer when you think about it.

"That's one of the things that hurts. I genuinely enjoy my athletics.

"It's not nice but all the people who know me and know who I am know I'm not the sort of person who would do that."

Farah was also keen to highlight his solidarity with the rest of the athletes taking part in London.

Far from disrespecting them by dropping out at the 13-mile stage, he believes the decision with help maintain the authenticity of the race.

"I don't want to destroy the race for the normal runners by being at the front and surging and then dropping back and then picking up the pace again," he said. "That's out of respect. You have to respect the guys who are out here."

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