Sir Mo Farah still worried about his return to America
Last Updated: 17/02/17 3:09pm
Sir Mo Farah admits he still has travel fears over his return to America after again speaking out about President Donald Trump's executive order.
The Somalia-born Farah had previously said the ban, which prevented those from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen entering the US for 90 days or more, was "deeply troubling".
Farah, who lives and trains in Portland, Oregon, was concerned the travel ban would force him to be separated from his wife and four children, but it was later clarified the exclusion would not apply to UK nationals.
A federal appeals court refused to reinstate the ban last week - meaning people and refugees from the seven nations can continue to enter the US for the time being - but Mr Trump has promised more legal action leaving Farah, in Birmingham for the Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday, uneasy.
Asked if he had concerns when he returns to the US, Farah said: "Yes, I've had issues before. But hopefully it will be fine, I always try and look on the bright side of life. I'm not going back yet.
"I'm competing here and then on Sunday back to another training camp as I have to do a bit more training, but I do have to go back in March and see my family and at that point we will see."
Farah, who has been based in Oregon for the last six years with his family, spoke out when details of the executive order were first released, saying "President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien".
When it became clear the ban did not apply to UK nationals, the four-time Olympic champion released another statement expressing his relief but still slammed the order.
"Mo is relieved that he will be able to return to his family once his current training camp concludes, however, as he said in his earlier statement, he still fundamentally disagrees with this incredibly divisive and discriminatory policy," the statement said.
Farah was joined at a news conference in Birmingham by American 110m hurdles world-record holder, Aries Merritt, and was seen to be nodding when Merritt spoke about Trump.
"I particularly don't agree with what he's been doing," said Merritt. "I'm not Republican, I'm more Democrat and the way his administration has been running is not something that's normal.
"We've seen all kinds of nastiness going on in this campaign and it's not something that makes me proud to be an American. Hopefully Congress and the Senate will keep him in check the best they can."
Farah will race in the 5000m on Saturday having finished seventh at the Great Edinburgh XCountry last month and admitted he must improve in Birmingham, his last indoor meet ahead of switching to road racing after August's World Championships in London.
"This will be my last track race indoors," he said. "For me it all started at London in 2012 and my life has changed and it wouldn't be fair to continue on [after London]. I love racing and it will be nice for me because the Olympics was where it was at, it would be rude not to finish there [London].
"I still need to learn about the roads and run a few key marathons to achieve what I need achieve. In terms of major competitions, hopefully the World Champs go well."
