Sir Mo Farah has revealed how he was illegally ‘trafficked’ into the UK under another child’s name
Sir Mo Farah has revealed how he was illegally ‘trafficked’ into the UK under another child’s name Sir Mo Farah has revealed he was smuggled into the UK under the name of another child, saying he wants to tell his real story “no matter the cost”. The four-time Olympian told the BBC that he was born Hussein Abdi Kahin, brought to the UK with a woman and her children by the name of another boy called Mohamed Farah. Sir Mo said “the truth is I’m not who you think I am” as he spoke about the traumatic events of his childhood after leaving war-torn Somaliland in west Africa. A lawyer warned him that even if he was trafficked into the country as a young child and told authorities the truth, there was a “real risk” he could be stripped of his British citizenship. However, it is understood the Home Office will not take action against Sir Mo. Speaking in the documentary The Real Mo Farah, the father-of-four, 39, said: “Most people know me as Mo Farah, but that’s not my name or that’s not the reality. “The real story is that I was born in Somaliland, north of Somalia, as Hussein Abdi Kahin. Despite what I’ve said before, my parents never lived in the UK. “When I was four, my father was killed in the civil war, you know as a family we were torn apart. “I was separated from my mother and brought to the UK illegally under the name of another child called Mohammed Farah.” Sir Mo, who became the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals, said his children motivated him to be honest about his past. Sir Mo’s wife Tania Nell said in the year leading up to their 2010 wedding that she realized “there were a lot of missing pieces to his story” but eventually “tired him of the questioning” and told the truth. Sir Mo Farah has won four Olympic gold medals
“I knew I was in trouble”
During the documentary, Sir Mo said he thought he was going to Europe to live with relatives and recalled doing passport control in the UK under the guise of Mohamed aged nine. He said: “I had all the contact details for my relative and as soon as we got to her house the lady took them off me and right in front of me she tore them up and put them in the bin and that’s when I knew I was in trouble.” Sir Mo said he did not have “good memories” of his childhood home in Hounslow, where he was told to work around the house if he wanted to eat. “If I wanted food in my mouth, my job was to take care of these kids, shower them, cook for them, clean them, and she said, ‘If you ever want to see your family again, don’t say anything . say anything, they will take you away.” Sir Mo eventually told his PE teacher Alan Watkinson the truth and moved in with his friend’s mum, Kinsi, who “really cared a lot” for him, and ended up staying for seven years. It was Mr Watkinson who applied for Sir Mo’s British citizenship, which he described as a “long process”, and on 25 July 2000, Sir Mo was recognized as a British citizen. Sir Mo, who named his son Hussein after his real identity, said: “I think often of the other Mohamed Farah, the boy whose seat I took on that plane, and I really hope he is well. “Wherever he is, I carry his name and that could cause problems now for me and my family.”
“You’re still my brother”
As it happens, the documentary ends with Sir Mo talking to the real Mohamed Farah. Speaking on the phone, Sir Mo said: “I can’t believe I’m talking to you. I carry your name and for many, many years, I’ve carried it with me and I’m proud that you know what I’ve achieved. “But as a person I always wonder where is Mohammed, is he okay, what would life be like for him? “I think about it all the time and personally I just wanted to get in touch and see how you’re doing.” Mr Farah said he was not yet married or had children, but had seen Sir Mo run on TV and, like him, was an Arsenal fan. Sir Mo added: “I just want to tell you one thing, thank you very much, I use your name. “I came here as a kid and I just want to say thank you, and it’s been tough, tough.” Mr. Farah said, “It’s okay, you’re still my brother.” The Real Mo Farah will air at 6am. on BBC iPlayer and at 9pm on BBC One on 13 July.
