Mo Farah responds to Donald Trump's travel ban: 'It's deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home'


mo farah
On 29 January 2017

Mo Farah has responded to Donald Trump's executive order to prevent citizens from seven countries from entering the US, and claimed that the ban has come from a "place of ignorance and prejudice".

In a statement posted on the star athlete's Facebook page, he wrote: "On 1st January this year, Her Majesty the Queen made me a Knight of the Realm. On 27th January, President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien. I am a British citizen who has lived in America for the past six years - working hard, contributing to society, paying my taxes and bringing up our four children in the place they now call home."

© Photo: Getty Images

The athlete posted a statement on Facebook expressing his concern

He continued: "Now, me and many others like me are being told that we may not be welcome. It's deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home - to explain why the President has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice. I was welcomed into Britain from Somalia at eight years old and given the chance to succeed and realise my dreams. I have been proud to represent my country, win medals for the British people and receive the greatest honour of a knighthood. My story is an example of what can happen when you follow polices of compassion and understanding, not hate and isolation."

© Photo: Getty Images

Mo moved to Britain from Somalia aged eight

The Somalia-born Olympian, who moved to Britain at the age of eight, also shared a link to the statement on Twitter, simply writing: "My response to Trump - thanks for all the support guys." Mo's supporters were quick to praise his statement, with one writing: "Good for you Mo. We've got your back," while another added: "We are all hugely proud of you. Well done for speaking truth to power."

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