Sir Mo Farah has made a permanent move with his family from the United Kingdom to Qatar, despite the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Farah, a former Olympic gold medallist, has resided in Doha with his wife Tania and their four children since 2024 and has recently changed his residency status to Qatar.
The 43-year-old athlete and his family, including stepdaughter Rihanna, twin daughters Aisha and Amani, and son Hussein, relocated to Doha, the capital of Qatar, following his retirement from professional running. According to reports from The Sun, Farah has officially switched his residency status from the UK to Qatar for his company, which holds assets worth £3.9 million and paid £375,000 in taxes and VAT in 2023. This move allows the four-time Olympic champion to be exempt from certain taxes.
Amidst the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, Qatar has also been impacted by the situation, with Iran targeting the country’s energy facilities using drones.
While over 100,000 British nationals have returned to the UK from the Middle East due to the recent war, Farah and his family, who own a house in Weybridge, Surrey, have decided to remain in Qatar. Farah expressed concerns about the safety of living in London, citing experiences of witnessing tensions between the US and Iran.
Having originally moved to the UK from Somalia as a child and spent time in Portland, Oregon during his athletic career, Farah explained that the decision to relocate to Qatar was primarily driven by the desire for his children to have a more private and peaceful upbringing away from the spotlight of public life.
Farah shared in an interview with The National his positive experiences in Qatar, mentioning his family’s enjoyment of the country during the 2022 World Cup games. He emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his family after years of being away due to his athletic commitments, highlighting the flexibility and lifestyle benefits that Qatar offers for their family life.