Farah’s Olympic medals don’t cut it with customs

Olympic star Mo Farah showed US customs officials his gold medals in an attempt to be released from detention but “they wouldn’t have it”.

The double gold medallist moved to America last year and revealed that despite his international fame, he frequently gets stopped at customs because of his Somali origin.

Farah, who moved to Britain with his father when he was eight, told the Sun on Sunday: “I couldn’t believe it. Because of my Somali origin I get detained every time I come through US customs. This time I even got my medals out to show who I am, but they wouldn’t have it.”

The Team GB poster boy was rewarded for his Olympic efforts in the new year honours list. “I’m blown away. I’m honoured,” said Farah. “For me, 2012 is done and it’s time to look ahead. But I’ll never forget what everyone in Team GB achieved.”

The honour comes after the athlete missed out on a top three position in the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards earlier this month, despite coming third last year before his Olympic success.

“This year I had achieved the most I possibly could and didn’t even get third again, let alone a higher spot. I mean, there’s nothing more I could have done.”

He recognised it was “a strong year” and praised award winner Bradley Wiggins as a “phenomenal athlete”.

Farah, who is married to Tania and has three daughters, dedicated his medals to his twin girls born two weeks after he won his second gold in the 5,000m.