Gibraltar welcomed a distinguished visitor this April as Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah spent the weekend on the Rock, taking part in a series of events that brought together sport, community and culture.
Sir Mo’s visit, which took place from 17th-18th April, formed part of two prelude events for the Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival, and was marked by strong public engagement across a number of well-attended events.
One of the greatest runners of all time
Sir Mo Farah, CBE, is one of Britain’s most successful athletes. A multiple Olympic, World and European gold medallist, he achieved the ‘double double’, winning gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 and 2016 London Olympic Games.
He holds numerous British and European records, as well as the world best distance for the one-hour run. In recognition of his achievements, he was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for his services to athletics.
Leading the ‘Round the Rock’ run
On Saturday morning, Sir Mo led the ‘Round the Rock’ charity run, setting off from Casemates Square alongside local runners, families and young athletes.
The event was kept informal, encouraging participation across all ages and abilities. Sir Mo’s presence created a strong sense of occasion, particularly for younger participants, while reinforcing the importance of sport and community involvement.
In conversation at the literary festival
Sir Mo also took part in an ‘In Conversation’ session at the Sunborn Gibraltar as part of the literary festival programme.
The discussion offered a more personal perspective on his career and experiences beyond athletics, alongside his ongoing work outside the track. Sir Mo is a long-standing advocate for youth development and physical activity, serving as a Save the Children Ambassador and the first global Goodwill Ambassador of the International Organisation for Migration.
More recently, he has taken on the role of National School Sport Champion for the Youth Sport Trust, promoting daily physical activity among young people.
A positive moment for Gibraltar
At Abacus, we value the role these moments play in supporting Gibraltar’s wider community and international profile.
The weekend demonstrated the value of community-focused initiatives, the continued success of established events such as the literary festival, and Gibraltar’s growing profile.