Athletics club praises its golden boy Mo Farah

Published 6 Aug 2012 14:00 0 Comments

GOLD medallist, Mo Farah, who captured the hearts of the country on the greatest night in British Olympic history, used to train in Eton.

Farah completed an emotional and mesmerising night at the Olympic Stadium, winning Team GB's third gold medal in 45 minutes, when he sprinted to the finish of the men's 10,000m on Saturday night.

The Somalian-born refugee moved to London aged eight and began training at the Thames Valley Athletic Centre, in Pococks Lane, with Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow Athletics Club in 2001, aged 18.

Farah trained at the club for three years and still holds the under-20 junior men's record in the 3,000m and 5,000m - the distance he will go for gold in on Saturday night.

Dennis Daly, the club's secretary of 40 years, said: "He was a very nice young lad and it was obvious from the start that he had a lot of talent, but I don't think anyone realised he would be as good as he turned out.

"Of course he is not a member anymore, but it is great for the club to be associated with him and invaluable exposure." Mr Daly, 74, said there is a strong group of distance runners, aged 16 and 17, at the club, but they are short on numbers. He added: "In the past week we have had a lot more emails and inquiries from potential new members, but we are not getting excited. I would be surprised if half of them sign up fully for the long term."

It proved an emotional weekend for Mr Daly, who watched his nephew, Matt Daly, play hockey for Team GB in a 3-3 draw against Australia, at the Olympic Park, on Sunday.

Matt, 29, is a former pupil of Desborough School, in Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, and has represented England 66 times and Great Britain 29 times.

Mr Daly said: "I found it highly emotional, but his mum was even more so. It looks as though they will qualify now for the semi-finals and that will be a great achievement."

For more information about joining the club, visit www.wseh.info or email membership@wseh.info

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This article appeared in Slough Observer 06 Aug 12

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