In a remarkable turn of events that highlights the human cost of identity confusion, Sir Mo Farah has thrown his support behind the man whose name he was given as a child, backing his bid to finally reunite with his family in Britain after more than three decades of separation.
The Life-Changing Identity Swap
The extraordinary story began over 30 years ago when the Olympic champion, whose real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin, was brought to the UK using the identity of another child named Mohamed Farah. This pivotal moment created two vastly different futures - one of sporting glory for Sir Mo, and one of struggle and separation for the original Mohamed Farah.
Now aged 42, Mohamed has spent most of his life in impoverished conditions in Nairobi, Kenya, effectively orphaned in Africa while his family built new lives in Britain. The paperwork that should have enabled his reunion with his father was instead given to the future Olympic star, creating a separation that would last for more than 30 years.
Decades of Separation and Struggle
The emotional impact of this identity mix-up has been profound. Mohamed described watching from Nairobi as Sir Mo Farah achieved Olympic glory at London 2012, completely unaware at the time why they shared the same name. "I began to have visions of the life I could have lived with family in the UK instead of being in Nairobi alone," he revealed. "This just made it harder... I felt betrayed and I felt so sad."
The situation reached its lowest point when Mohamed was robbed at gunpoint in Mogadishu, highlighting the dangerous circumstances he faced while separated from his family. His mother, Leyla Geedi, had travelled to Britain two years after the initial mix-up, only to discover to her horror that her son's visa had been given to another boy.
Hope for Reunion After 30 Years
The breakthrough came when the Mail on Sunday tracked Mohamed down to his home in Nairobi and published his powerful appeal for help. This moved Sir Mo Farah to write a letter supporting Mohamed's application to come to Britain, potentially ending the decades-long separation.
"I am so happy that Mo Farah has signed this letter for me," Mohamed said from Nairobi. "Words can't describe how thankful I am. It has brought back so much hope that I can be with my family again and fix this mistake from 30 years ago."
Legal experts believe Sir Mo's support could be crucial in the immigration case. Jacqueline Mckenzie of law firm Leigh Day, who is leading Mohamed's case, stated: "Sir Mo Farah is much loved in this country and much regarded. He is a national treasure and his voice is very, very powerful in this discussion."
The case represents one of the most extraordinary identity stories in sporting history, with both men now working together to correct a mistake that changed both their lives irrevocably over three decades ago.
