Sam Thompson coached by Olympic hero to conquer 'terrifying' fear

Olympic legend has been putting through his paces ahead of his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge.

Gold medal-winning runner Mo, 42, has been giving the star fitness and mental health coaching ready for the endurance feat.

From June 2, Sam will deliver the for UNICEF match ball from last year’s stadium, in London, to the home of this year’s match,in Manchester.

Sam, 32, said: “We got to sit opposite each other for about an hour. And he was just like, ‘Look, man, just tell me your worries’. And that was really nice talking to such a legend. I’ll never forget some of the stuff he was saying.

“I’m just so terrified of not completing it and Mo gave me his advice to just put one foot in front of the other, and always believe in why you are doing it.”

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Sam met the celebrated Olympian at the Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track in Twickenham, South West London.

Mo, dad of twin girls Aisha and Amani, 12, son Hussein, nine, and their big sister Rhianna, 19, told Sam: “When I question myself, I try and think, ‘If I’ve been away from my kids for weeks, months, I’m not going to let them down. I’m going to give it everything I can’.”

He said promising one of his daughters her would get her an Olympic medal helped him win 10,000m gold despite falling over at Rio 2016.

He said: “I went down and in that moment, I thought the race is over, I can’t do it.

“Then I thought back that I’d promised my daughter. That’s what got me through. The moments when you doubt yourself, you’ve always got more than you think.”

Mo also told Sam his “body is going to be a mess”. He said: “I’m going to be honest with you – you’ll be fatigued. What you’ve taken on isn’t easy – you’re running a marathon a day and more.”

For more information and to donate to Sam’s challenge visit