Sir Mo Farah with his ex-teacher Alan Watkinson
(Picture: PA Media)Sir Mo Farah’s former PE teacher on Thursday said the Olympic hero had “no other option” but to hide the truth about being trafficked to the UK as a child.
The athlete, 39, revealed in a BBC documentary how he was born Hussein Abdi Kahin but was forced to assume the name of another youngster when he was brought to Britain illegally aged nine.
In emotional scenes watched by millions, he spoke about being forced to work as a servant for the woman who flew him over from Djibouti.
The film also revealed how Alan Watkinson, his teacher at Feltham Community College, helped him find a foster family and become a British citizen after Sir Mo confided his secret.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Thursday, Mr Watkinson was asked if it had been difficult to see his protégé lie about his background.
He said: “It was really difficult, but he was in that situation where, really, he had no other option.
“I think the progress he was making as an athlete, the knowledge that if this story came out at any particular time, what would that mean for him? I believe he locked that away because he wanted to focus on the thing that drove him.”
Mr Watkinson — who was best man at Sir Mo’s wedding to Tania Nell in 2010 — said many of Farah’s friends had warned him about revealing the truth but he was not surprised by his decision.
“When he decides he wants to do something, he goes and does it, and more often than not his instinct is right.”
He was speaking as the Met confirmed that officers with experience investigating child trafficking are examining the revelations made in the documentary, The Real Mo Farah.
Sharing a photograph of his wife and children on Instagram, Sir Mo wrote: “I did this documentary for them, so they could understand more about the experiences that led us to becoming the family we are today.
“Not every child will have the easiest start in life, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go on to achieve their dreams.”
The film showed Farah revisiting the flat in Hounslow where he lived until his escape.
A neighbour said: “We had no idea anything like that was going on. It’s so sad that this could happen.”
The Home Office has said it will not take action against Sir Mo after he revealed the information.
