Mo Farah Academy Launched at St Mary's

The Mo Farah Foundation (MFF) has announced the launch of the Mo Farah Academy, its first initiative in the UK, designed to encourage home-grown sporting talent whilst building on the Olympic Legacy. The Academy will provide financial and technical support for the elite sports training programmes at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, and at Brunel University. Both have been selected as dedicated centres of sporting excellence with an outstanding track record of sporting success. In particular, each year, four outstanding young athletes at Brunel and four at St Mary’s will receive scholarships worth up to £4,000 to help with living and training costs. The selection process for the scholarships will be rigorous, with applicants expected to demonstrate the potential to compete at international level. Priority will be given to athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Olympic 2012 London Games, the defining moment in Mo Farah’s own sporting career, this new scheme is intended to build on that legacy and to provide promising young British athletes with the combination of advice, guidance and practical support that they need to fulfil their potential. Mo Farah, Olympic double Gold medallist and founding MFF Trustee said, “If it wasn’t for the close network of people offering me support and guidance during my formative years, then I might not have become the athlete I am today. I am incredibly proud and excited to be launching this program, which I passionately believe will give our future Olympians the help they need to succeed and I can’t wait to see how they all get along.” Andrew Reid-Smith, Director of Sport at St Mary’s University College said, “Mo started at St Mary’s in 2001 as the first student of the Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC). We are very proud of Mo’s incredible London 2012 achievements and St Mary’s is delighted to be part of the Mo Farah Academy to help support the next generation of sporting talent.” Paul Dimmock, Director of Sport at Brunel University said; “It is a real honour for us to be selected to work with the Mo Farah Academy. The package of technical assistance, access to world class coaching, and valuable financial support that the Academy offers will make a significant difference to the quality of the training we can offer. The first Academy students will start at Brunel and St Mary’s this September.