Mo Farah is on his farewell tour. He is bowing out of an impressive track career during which he collected four Olympic and six world championship titles in the 5000m and 10,000m, and is planning on starting a new one in road races and the marathon. Fans will see him on the track for the very last time at Letzigrund Stadium – a major honour for Weltklasse Zürich. Farah has decided to return to the arena where he broke the 13-minute barrier for the first time (2010) and where he became double European champion in 2014. On Tuesday, the running legend arrived in Zurich for his special appearance.
Kids’ event: 500 children train with the stars at Letzigrund Stadium
Just a few hour after arriving, Mo Farah already met with 500 kids and youngsters for a training session at Letzigrund Stadium. The young talents were excited to get useful advice and some extra tips from him, three other world champions – Dafne Schippers (NED/200m), Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT/high jump), and Karsten Warholm (NOR/400m hurdles) – as well as from local hero and London finalist Kariem Hussein.
While Farah organised a series of relay races, Schippers practiced starting out of the blocks with a group of young athletes, and Swiss star Hussein shared his hurdling techniques. Barshim and his colleague Gianmarco Tamberi (ITA/2016 European champion) brought a great deal of fun and excitement to the high jump training by motivating each and every kid before their attempts and cheer their success.
The key to success: hard work
Mo Farah is glad that the pressure of the world championships in his own country has lifted, and that the focus has shifted a little away from him. “I am here to enjoy the experience – my race, of course, but also meeting and training with the kids,” he explained. He tried to pass his philosophy on to them: “I told them to work hard. It has been my key to success.”
The traditional training sessions with Weltklasse Zürich stars were held in five other towns and cities, as well. 100 young athletes per event met and trained with national and international athletes in Aarau, Bern, Chur, Hochdorf, and Frauenfeld. The participants of “Switzerland’s most popular PE lessons” had to be drawn by lot, as promoters received as many as 2,500 applications for the 1,000 spots available.
