Britain’s greatest ever distance runner and double Olympic champion Mo Farah will compete at the Birmingham Diamond League on Sunday June 5 in an event which will act as the launchpad to his Olympic defence. Farah has targeted the meeting at the Alexander Stadium as one of his major stepping stones as he bids to defend his Olympic record when the Games open in Rio, exactly two months later, on August 5.

Mo said: “The Birmingham Diamond League will be my first big European track race of 2016 and a great platform to test myself on the road to the Olympic Games in Rio – the ultimate competition for every athlete. The meet has long been a key fixture in the season and I know that having the support of that passionate home crowd will be a great motivator for me on the day and going into The Games. The British Diamond League meetings always deliver high quality competition and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Farah is one of British sport’s best loved figures and will show his gratitude to the fans by jointly launching the #TwoMoMiles campaign, launched by British Athletics.

To mark his return to Birmingham, he is giving 25 fans the opportunity to join him for a once in a lifetime experience of running two miles with the legend in Birmingham on Sunday 21 February.

Athletics fans have been invited to enter by explaining why they would like to run with Mo via British Athletics social media channels.

Farah said: “I’m massively grateful for all the support that the British public has given me over the years and it’s been a huge reason for my success. Having the chance to meet some of my biggest fans and take part in a fun event like this is brilliant. I’m looking forward to meeting the winners in Birmingham and taking them for a bit of a run!"

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive of British Athletics, said: “Mo Farah is one Great Britain’s greatest athletic icons and he will lead a stellar cast of global stars at the Birmingham Diamond League. This event is vital to their preparation for Rio and the perfect launchpad to the Olympic Games. The Alexander Stadium is home to major athletics events and has a rich athletics history. There is no doubt that we will witness world-class performances aided by amazing support from home crowds.”