The 29-year-old (pictured) has also said he meant no offence when he celebrated his impending victory in the 1500m heats 100m from the line by performing his trademark M-shaped "Mobot" celebration.

The latter action was strongly criticised in an article written in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph by the runner who finished fifth in that heat, veteran competitor Anthony Whiteman, who accused Farah of showing "disrespect" to his fellow athletes and risking distraction from his Olympic ambitions by actions more fitting to "celebrities" than athletes.

"I didn't do the 1500m final but it was just to save my legs and to come out here and get a good race and see where I am," said Farah after becoming the first man to retain the European 5,000m title thanks to a last lap of 53.6sec.


"I apologise to everyone who bought tickets for the day of the 1500 final in Birmingham, but this medal means more to me than doing a final and getting a medal there."

On the subject of his "Mobot" – which he reproduced here (pictured) in the 1952 Olympic Stadium, but only after his race was won – Farah added: "I got a little bit of stick for it but I didn't intend to disrespect anyone.

"Sometimes you get carried away and do a celebration."

Farah will now train at altitude in Font Romeu, France, before competing in the Samsung Diamond League meeting which takes place in London on July 13 and 14.

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