Mo Farah Family Tree: The Story Behind Britain's Double-Double Olympian

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama "Mo" Farah CBE, born 23 March 1983 in Mogadishu, Somalia, is a British long-distance runner — 4 Olympic gold medals (5000m + 10000m doubles at London 2012 and Rio 2016 — "Double-Double"); 6 World Championship golds; knighted 2017. 2022: revealed he was trafficked to UK as a child under the name "Mohamed Farah" — his real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin.

The Family's Roots: A Somali Family Displaced by Civil War

Actual name Hussein Abdi Kahin, born in Somaliland; his father was killed in Somali Civil War. Trafficked to UK aged 9 under another child's identity ("Mohamed Farah").

His Real Parents

Real Father: killed in Somali Civil War when Mo was ~4.

Real Mother: Aisha — Somali; separated from son at 9 (trafficking).

His Twin Brother

Hassan Abdi Kahin, born 23 March 1983 — Mo's identical twin; stayed in Somaliland when Mo was trafficked to UK; later reunited.

His Wife: Tania Nell

Tania Nell, born 1985 — English. Married Mo on 19 April 2010.

Their Children

Rhianna, born 2005 — Tania's daughter from prior relationship (Mo's stepdaughter, adopted).

Aisha Farah, born August 2012 — twin daughter.

Amani Farah, born August 2012 — twin daughter.

Hussein Farah, born October 2015 — son.

The Farah Family Tree at a Glance

Real Name: Hussein Abdi Kahin.

Real Father: killed in Somali Civil War.

Real Mother: Aisha.

Twin Brother: Hassan Abdi Kahin — stayed in Somaliland.

Wife: Tania Nell (b. 1985; m. 19 April 2010).

Children: Rhianna (b. 2005, stepdaughter/adopted); Aisha and Amani (twin daughters, b. August 2012); Hussein (b. October 2015).

Mo Farah:

  • Born 23 March 1983, Mogadishu (as Hussein Abdi Kahin)
  • Trafficked to UK aged 9 by a woman posing as his mother; used papers of a different child ("Mohamed Farah")
  • Feltham Community College (west London)
  • Coached by Alan Storey then Alberto Salazar (2011-17)
  • London 2012 Olympics: 5000m gold + 10000m gold
  • Rio 2016 Olympics: 5000m gold + 10000m gold — the "Double-Double"
  • 6 World Championship golds: 5000m (2013, 15, 17), 10000m (2013, 15, 17)
  • Knighted (Sir): 2017
  • CBE: 2013
  • Retired from track 2017; road racing until 2023

What the Farah Family Story Teaches Us

A real name (Hussein Abdi Kahin) revealed only in 2022. A father killed in war. A twin brother separated by trafficking at age 9. A wife of 15 years. Four children including twin daughters. A career that captured 4 consecutive Olympic distance-running golds across 2 Games — under an alias.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Mo Farah story carries the same lesson. Some careers hide a childhood trafficking to become a national knight.

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