Sporting greats at ‘hunger summit’

Newly-crowned double Olympic champion Mo Farah said yesterday that the issue of child hunger had “touched his heart”, as he urged political leaders to tackle malnutrition in the poorest parts of the world.

Just imagine what my country could achieve if half of our children were not suffering from malnutrition

The Somalia-born athlete joined international politicians and sporting greats Pele and Haile Gebrselassie at a “hunger summit” in Downing Street.

Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to secure sufficient commitments from leaders and multinational firms to help prevent 25 million children under five suffering stunted growth by the time of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mr Farah, who has set up his own charity to raise money to help the victims of the severe drought in the Horn of Africa, arrived at Number 10 to cheers after his achievements in winning both the 10,000m and 5,000m.

Speaking at the start of the summit, Mr Farah said: “I’m lucky to have set up a new life here, and growing up here, after being in Somalia as a little boy. But there are kids out there facing hunger and starvation and we’ve got to do something about it. There are kids out there who need our help. It really touches my heart.”

Mr Farah gave a thumbs-up as he arrived at Number 10 before performing the “mobot” – the celebration he displayed after winning both London gold medals.

He later said: “Winning my second gold last night was a dream come true, but I’m here today for perhaps the most important race of all, the race to tackle hunger and malnutrition around the world.

“Last year I visited Somalia during the famine. It was shocking to see people in the country where I was born simply not having enough food to eat. My wife and I came back from Somalia determined to do what we can to help people there rebuild their lives.

Ahead of the summit, five children ran with Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrselassie around the bend of an athletics track in Downing Street, before handing a baton to Mr Cameron as part of a symbolic “race against hunger”.

The Prime Minister then joined Mr Farah, Mr Gebrselassie, Brazilian football star Pele and the country’s vice-president Michel Temer as they signed the baton to show their support for tackling child hunger. The summit brought together leaders and senior politicians from Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh, India and Ireland.

Mr Gebrselassie told the political figures gathered that his home country had been “blighted” by poverty and hunger. Pointing out that Ethiopia had won three London gold medals, he said: “Just imagine what my country could have achieved if half of our children weren’t suffering from malnutrition.”