Mo Farah w family and flag - Photo by Somaliland PressMo Farah, a Somali refugee who grew up in London and became a British champion runner, visited his homeland Somalia this week, bringing joy to hundreds of sports fans greeting him at the airport.

Accompanied by his wife and daughter, the 28-year old endurance runner received a hero’s welcome in Somaliland Wednesday, one month after winning a silver medal at the 2011 World championships in Athletics, in the 10,000m competition.

Government officials welcomed him at Berbera International Airport along with hundreds of youths and Somali flags.

The athlete fled the tumult of Mogadishu when he was nine and warlords ruled the streets. Now he has Olympic medal hopes for the London games as a hometown favorite, and is pledging to do all he can to help raise awareness and help for the famine-stricken in his homeland.

(READ the story from Somaliland Press)

PHOTO by Somaliland Press – Thanks to Mark T. Jones for submitting the story!

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