Mo Farah Illness: Updates on Star's Recovery After Commonwealth Games Withdrawal

Updates from Tuesday, Aug. 12

Mo Farah has confirmed he is fit to target two gold medals at the European Championships, after overcoming a shocking ordeal that saw him airlifted to hospital.

Farah pulled out of the recent Commonwealth Games, and he described the chain of events that led to his decision, per the Mirror's Alex Spink:

"

I had a tooth taken out because it was chipped, and it got infected. I was in a bit of pain, but went for a run. When I came back I collapsed on the bathroom floor, completely knocked out.

When I became conscious I called Cam [Levins] my training partner and he came round and got me on to my bed.

I was in so much pain from my stomach that he called an ambulance and it took me to hospital. I then had to be airlifted to the main hospital as they thought something was going on with my heart.

It was just crazy. I was in hospital for four days and it was scary!

"

Original Text

Team England have suffered a major blow at the onset of the 2014 Commonwealth Games after it was confirmed Mo Farah will miss the competition through illness.

Eurosport outlines an extremely disappointing situation for the athlete, and indeed, the nation's medal hopes:

BBC presenter George Riley tweeted an official statement from Team England and Farah, highlighting the athlete's continued sickness:

Farah, the double world and Olympic champion, was set to compete across the 5,000m and 10,000m disciplines at the Scottish showcase. He recently pulled out of the Glasgow Grand Prix at Hampden Park and missed last weekend's Anniversary Games due to "abdominal pains," reported by Robert Jones of the Belfast Telegraph.

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The problem persists and adds to an already frustrating season for the dominant star. He fell during the New York half-marathon in March, before collapsing to the ground shortly after finishing. Although Farah brushed the incident off as "not a big deal," per BBC Sport, his recent problems appear more serious.

He made errors when trying to pick up fluids at the London Marathon and stuttered in the second pack on his way to finishing eighth.

Although Farah triumphed in his only track appearance of the year—June's 5000m run in Portland—fitness problems have plagued his output since.

BBC Sport confirms his abdominal complaints started the week before July 8's Diamond League meet. Farah's lack of action since then indicates a decision toward his Commonwealth Games participation would go down to the wire, with many English onlookers pinning their hopes on his likely triumphs.

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Unfortunately for Scotland's neighbours, Farah isn't the only big-name star to miss out. Dan Roan of BBC Sport suggests the home crowd won't worry about a trio of their rivals' top competitors missing out:

Even so, Farah's absence is undoubtedly a huge blow to the competition's draw. The 31-year-old, alongside Jessica Ennis-Hill, provided one of London 2012's most memorable moments with his victory on "Super Saturday."

Many of the Scottish crowd will have supported these athletes under Great Britain's collective guise, ensuring plenty of regret for those who travelled to catch a glimpse of them in the flesh.

Farah obviously needs to spend time recovering. Although he suggests his fitness should return in a "few weeks" during his statement, there's no denying the committed runner deserves a recharge after years of exerting himself.

It is a real shame we won't witness the "Mobot" in Glasgow, but with plenty of rest and hard work, Farah should receive the opportunity to add further medals to his stunning collection in the near future.