DOUBLE Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah was mobbed by pupils and teachers alike as he dropped in on his old school Feltham Community College this morning.
Farah, who grew up in Hanworth after escaping war-torn Somalia, attended the Browells Lane school as a youngster, where he was first encouraged to take up running by PE teacher Alan Watkinson.
Although Farah now lives in the United States, he has not yet returned across the pond after competing in the London Games, having recently become the father of twins, and took time out to visit his old stomping ground.
Farah, who won both the 5,000m and 10,000 gold at this summer's Olympics, showed his medals to a packed assembly hall after taking questions from pupils.
The excited youngsters had earlier been shown a video promoting the good work the Mo Farah Foundation does for deprived children in East Africa.
After the assembly, Farah toured his old school and even joined in an impromptu game of volleyball when meeting a PE class in the sports hall.
Mo said: “This place brings back memories, this is where it all started for me as a kid. It's nice to be back, and the place hasn't changed much. I was just one of you guys a few years ago, but I hope I have showed what you can achieve through hard work – and listening to your teachers.
“I always fancied myself as a footballer, but the PE teachers here put me right and took me down to the local running club, an from then on I knew I wanted to be an athlete.”
There were plenty of 'Mobots' – Farah's trademark celebration – from the children, and even a replica of one of the Royal Mail's celebratory gold letterboxes in the school reception.
