Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into Sir Mo Farah's revelation that he was trafficked into the UK illegally as a child.
The four-time Olympic champion revealed that he was brought to Britain from Somalia under the name of another of child, after his father was killed in the civil war. In a BBC documentary titled The Real Mo Farah, the 39-year-old said he needed to tell his real story 'whatever the cost' - revealing he was born Hussein Abdi Kahin.
Sir Mo said he was taken in by a woman he did not know and was kept as a domestic slave. The Met has now confirmed that a probe has been launched.
READ MORE: Mo Farah 'relieved' at Home Office decision after revealing he was trafficked into UK
In a statement, the force said: "We are aware of reports in the media concerning Sir Mo Farah. No reports have been made to the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) at this time.
"Specialist officers have opened an investigation and are currently assessing the available information.”
In the documentary, broadcast on Wednesday night, Sir Mo said he was helped to obtain UK citizenship by his school PE teacher Alan Watkinson, while still using the name Mohamed Farah. Ahead of the broadcast, Sir Mo said he created the documentary for his family.
He wrote on Instagram: “I’m so proud have represented Great Britain and to achieved what I have as a GB athlete. But, my proudest achievement will always be being a husband and father to my amazing family.
"I did this documentary for them, so they could understand more about the experiences that led us to becoming the family we are today. Not every child will have the easiest start in life, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go on to achieve their dreams.
"I hope you’ll all watch later and I can’t wait to hear what you think."
The Home Office earlier confirmed it would not take action against Sir Mo after he revealed the information. The runner said he was 'relieved' at the decision.
During a BBC interview, he said: "I feel relieved. This is my country, if it wasn’t for Alan [Watkinson] and the people that supported me throughout my childhood then maybe I wouldn’t even have the courage to be doing this. There’s a lot of people that have been very supportive, particularly my wife, throughout my career and gave me the strength to come and talk about it and telling me it’s ok to do this."
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