Gold Medalist Farah Acknowledges Support

by James Skitt - 29.07.10

European gold medallist Mo Farah has acknowledged the importance of his support team after storming to victory in Tuesday’s men’s 10,000m ahead of fellow Brit Chris Thompson.

27 year old Farah, whose victory was Great Britain’s first gold medal of the Championships, has twice collapsed after finishing races in the past, a problem which has been put down to a magnesium and iron deficiency, but after a hard winters training and with the help of his support team around him, including English Institute of Sport (EIS) Physiologist Barry Fudge, he now feels stronger and healthier, as his performance in Barcelona proves.

Speaking to Sky Sports last week ahead of the Championships Farah said: "I've got a lot of people working alongside me which is important when you're putting the miles in week after week.

"When something's not quite right you have to get on top of it. I feel strong. Everything is going in the right direction. Part of being an athlete is having the right people around you.

"It's not easy when you are putting your body through a lot of hard work, this is where Barry (Fudge, an EIS Physiologist) and Matt (Lovell, a Nutritionist) come in with nutrition, regular blood tests and checking how you're feeling."

Farah, who previously had to settle for silver in the 5,000m at the European Championships in Gothenburg four years ago, claimed his first major title in a time of 28 minutes, 24.99 seconds, a victory which clearly delighted him.

“To wait for four years after last time is not easy, I gave 100% then but got beaten by a better man," he told BBC Sport.

"This means so much to me. I had doubts in the winter when I thought it wasn't right, and I had collapsed after a race."

The EIS works closely with UK Athletics – the national governing body that administers the sport in Britain – to ensure that Britain’s elite performers have access to the highest level of sports medicine and sports science support.

Developed with support from the English Institute of Sport (EIS), two National Performance Centres provide collaborative support between UK Athletics and the EIS in such services as physiotherapy, medicine, biomechanics, strength and conditioning and performance lifestyle.

For all the latest news and results from the 2010 European Championships visit the UK Athletics website

To view the full Sky Sports interview with Mo Farah talking about his support team click here

Photography © Getty Images