Mo Farah has launched an astonishing attack on Haile Gebrselassie after claiming he was robbed in a hotel owned by his fellow long distance legend.
Farah chose his pre-London Marathon press conference to call out Gebrselassie over his alleged failure to help recover the watch, two phones and money the Briton claims were stolen from his room in Ethiopia last month.
Sir Mo detailed how during a stay at the high altitude training centre and resort, just outside Addis Ababa, his room was broken into with a key he says he had left with reception while he went out for an early morning training run.
He claims he had £2,579 removed from a locked suitcase as well as the watch given to him by his wife Tania which was “sentimental – it can’t be replaced”.
“There was no working safe in the room, hotel staff were dismissive and uninterested, I had to force the police to investigate,” fumed Farah, who hired two lawyers to look into the matter.
Sir Mo Farah recalls robbery hell as he prepares for London Marathon 2019
“The police came over, took stuff, went away. They said they arrested five guys but they got released again.
“So I sent Haile a message to tell him what had happened but he didn’t reply. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t respond even though that’s his hotel.
“One of the guys from the hotel called him because I said I wanted to speak to him and he said ‘we’re working on it’."
The alleged incident took place on Farah’s birthday and a month on he showed he is still furious about it by revealing the text he sent to Gebrselassie.
It read: “I want to inform you that I’m disappointed you have not made any effort to find my stolen money, and especially my watch. I have tried to contact you by telephone several times.
“Know that I am not responsible for what I say during the press conference in London and what influence it will have on your personality and your business. Greetings, Sir Mo.”
At that media appearance today Farah added: “I just want him to take responsibility for getting my stuff back. It’s a hotel’s responsibility to be able to get it back. You pay for each night – you’re not getting it free.”
Jos Hermens, Gebrselassie’s agent, said his star client was “furious” at the claims and would tell the "real" story.
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Farah, 36, insists the episode has not affected his preparations for Sunday’s marathon showdown with world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, even though he checked out of the hotel early soon after.
Fresh from winning Chicago on his last 26.2-mile outing he says his preparations, robbery aside, have gone perfectly.
"I believe I can win more major marathons,” said Farah. “I don't go out to try and finish third or fourth.
"My aim is to win the London Marathon one day. That is my task, but you can't take it for granted because Eliud is a great athlete and a world record holder. If I do beat him it would be an amazing achievement.
"Sometimes you are beaten by a better man and you have to accept that and you go home and think about what you need to do to beat him. But the rivalry is great for the sport - it's one the sport needs."
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