Making history as the first British man ever to win gold in the Olympic Games’ longest track discipline, Farah crossed the line in 27 minutes 30.42 seconds, with his American training partner Galen Rupp in silver and Ethiopia's Tariku Bekele in bronze.

As an 18-year-old Access student at St Mary’s University College, Farah was one of the first competitive runners to take advantage of the institution’s elite Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) when it was first launched in 2001.
Eleven years on, St Mary’s could not be prouder of the new London 2012 Olympic champion who it helped on his way to glory.

Head of 2012 Preparations at St Mary’s, Professor Dick Fisher, has worked with Mo since the athlete first began. He said: “I was there yesterday when he was running. It was extremely emotional. Our young Mo running, who joined us when he wasn’t as well-known. To be sat in the stadium watching as he came round the final bend was very emotional.

“The whole race was great. They were trying to box him in at the start but to no avail and then the last five or six laps were just a cacophony of people screaming for Mo. We are incredibly proud.”

The Olympic gold medallist still has close links with St Mary’s now, training at the centre when he is based in the UK. Last year, he launched his charitable foundation, the Mo Farah Foundation for Somali children at the University.

Professor Fisher said: “He is still the same Mo, no airs and graces. When he comes back he just slots straight in at the gym, goes to get a coffee on campus, is friendly to everyone. He has no airs and graces. He is just a lovely young man.”

Everyone at St Mary’s will be keeping their eyes out for their other sporting stars, including Andrew Osagie in the men’s 800m this Monday, Scott Overall in the men’s marathon on Sunday 12th August and of course when Farah attempts to become a double-Olympic champion when he competes in the 5,000m at 7.30pm on Saturday night.

By Ruth Faulkner