Sir Mo Farah has been backed to "come back stronger" by Eliud Kipchoge after the four-time Olympic gold medallist was forced to pull out of this year's London Marathon due to a hip injury.
The news has sparked suggestions the 39-year-old could call time on his career but Kipchoge, who will also not be competing in London as he recovers after breaking his own world-record Marathon time in Berlin earlier this month, believes Farah "has a lot more to give".
Speaking to the media ahead of this year's Marathon, Kipchoge said: "Absolutely, Mo Farah can still keep going. I wish him a quick recovery from injury.
"Injuries are part of the challenges of elite sport. I think Mo will come back stronger. The training is there and he can come back and show the world what is actually in this man.
"Age is a number. If you are training well and focused on what you are doing, then you can continue to perform. He can still win the best races. Mo Farah has a lot more to give."
And despite retirement talk, Farah has insisted he plans to race in the 2023 London Marathon, when the event moves back to April. "I've been training really hard over the past few months and I'd got myself back into good shape and was feeling pretty optimistic about being able to put in a good performance," he said.
"However, over the past 10 days I've been feeling pain and tightness in my right hip. I've had extensive physio and treatment and done everything I can to be on the start line but it hasn't improved enough to compete.
"It's really disappointing to have to withdraw after a good last few months and after my win at The Big Half but also because I love racing in front of my home crowd in London who always give all of us athletes such amazing support.
"I wish everyone taking part on Sunday a good run and I hope to be back out there with you in April 2023."
