A closer look at Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Nominee Mo Farah

March 9, 2013

Just metres behind him, the finishing line was still being crossed by his challengers as he knelt down, tears in his eyes, on the orange tarmac of London’s Olympic Stadium. He bowed his head to kiss the ground, looked up to the sky, and with thousands screaming his name, kissed the ground once again.

The date was August 4, 2012.

But for home fans of the London 2012 Olympic Games, that day will forever be known as ‘Super Saturday’, and the highlight came from Mo Farah.

He had just won Britain’s first ever 10,000 metres Olympic Gold.

And by taking a further gold in the 5,000m event a week later, Farah secured his place alongside the legends of long distance running.

Farah’s double gold win has now led to the Nomination for the 2013 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

Farah joined a legendary group of athletes such as Zatopek, Kuts, Viren and Bekele by winning both 5,000m and 10,000m golds at a single Games. But has he done enough to take Laureus glory over fellow Sportsman of the Year Nominees Bolt, Messi, Phelps, Vettel and compatriot Wiggins?

Laureus Academy Member, and the man responsible for much of London 2012’s success, Sebastian Coe certainly believes he has a great shot.

Coe said: “Britain has always had a strong tradition of long distance running, but this has not always been reflected in gold medals in Olympics and world championships. Mo Farah turned that on its head. Winning the way he did, fighting off attack after attack in the later stages of both races, showed that he not only had the right game plan, but also had complete confidence in his ability. I hope that his example will enthuse a generation of distance runners in the UK.”

Do you think Farah deserves to win the coveted Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award?

Have your say in the comments below.