Mo Farah of Britain reacts after finishing the men's elite group at the London Marathon 2018 in London, Britain on April 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Richard Washbrooke)
LONDON, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- British Olympic champion Mo Farah has withdrawn from this year's London half marathon due to injury, organizers announced on Wednesday.
The 2020 London half marathon will be held on March 1. 36-year-old Farah, a two-time winner of the event, decided to withdraw from the meet after sustaining a minor Achilles injury in training.
Britain's Mo Farah crosses the finish line during the 2018 Chicago Marathon in Chicago, the United States, Oct.7, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
"I was really looking forward to racing the Vitality Big Half again," said the four-time Olympic gold medal winner.
"Everyone knows how much I love racing in London, but my priority is to be fit, healthy and competitive for the summer season and for that reason I have had to make the tough decision not to race this year. I definitely hope to be back again in 2021."
Medalists Eliud Kipchoge (C) of Kenya, Tola Shura Kitata (L) of Ethiopia and Mo Farah of Britain celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's elite group at the London Marathon 2018 in London, Britain on April 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Richard Washbrooke)
Having switched from track events to the marathon in 2017, Farah announced last November that he would return to the track, aiming to defend his 10,000m title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. ■
