Staffordshire Newsletter
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah was "blown away" at being made a CBE, but admits missing out on a top spot in the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year was "difficult" to get his head around.
The 29-year-old was rewarded for his Olympic efforts in the New Year Honours list, announced on Saturday.
In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, he said: "I'm blown away. I'm honoured. For me 2012 is done and it's time to look ahead. But I'll never forget what everyone in Team GB achieved."
The achievement comes after the popular athlete missed out on a top three position in the SPOTY awards earlier this month, despite coming third last year before his wins at the London Games.
He said: "This year I had achieved the most I possibly could and didn't even get third again, let alone a higher spot. I mean, there's nothing more I could have done."
However, he recognised it was "such a strong year" and praised SPOTY winner Sir Bradley Wiggins as a "phenomenal athlete".
Farah, who is married to Tania and has three daughters, dedicated his medals to his twin girls born two weeks after he won his second gold medal in the 5,000 metres. He added: "It's been a big year. But the best way to end it is with the ones I love."
He said he thinks he has "four or five" years of competition left in him and hopes to take part in the London marathon, possibly in 2014.
The runner, who moved to the United States last year, also revealed that despite his international fame, he frequently gets stopped at customs because of his Somali origin.
Farah, who moved to Britain with his father when he was eight, said of the latest incident: "I couldn't believe it. Because of my Somali origin I get detained every time I come through US customs. This time I even got my medals out to show who I am, but they wouldn't have it."