British record holder Mo Farah drops out of Commonwealth Games
Double gold medallist at the European Championships in the 10000m and 5000m, Mo Farah of Great Britain, has announced his withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games today. He intends to take time off to rest his body, a common decision at this time of year among athletes.
"I had a great 2010 season and my body is telling me that it is time to take a break from training and racing," 27-year-old Farah said. "I have been competing since the start of the year at cross-country, road and track and feel that I need a few weeks off now to let my body recover so that I can start winter training fit and healthy.”
Farah broke the British record in the 5000m earlier this year at a Diamond League meet in Zurich, and in the process became the first Briton to run the distance in less than 13 minutes. He also holds the British record in the 10000m and the indoor record in the 3000m.
Farah is known for taking his training seriously, and while the British will miss his participation at the Commonwealth Games this October in Delhi, they would also prefer a healthy Farah next season, leading into the 2012 Olympics Games on his home soil. Farah has also pulled himself from this weekend’s Continental Cup in Split, Croatia.
"I was looking forward to the Commonwealth Games, but after the success I had this year I am happy to call it a season,” said Farah.
You have to trust a man who is willing to vacate his London home for months in order to train in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley where the oxygen levels are lower. The training helps give him an edge in competitions taking place in areas with normal oxygen levels. His aspirations to win are second to none.
Other notable British absentees include: Jessica Enis, Jenny Meadows, Jemma Simpson, Martyn Rooney, Michael Rimmer and Perri Shakes-Drayton.
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