MO FARAH is to start his countdown to Rio 2016 in Holyrood Park after being confirmed in the British team for the Great Edinburgh International XC on 9 January.

The double Olympic champion, intent on defending his 5000 and 10000m crowns next summer, has not taken part in a cross-country race since winning in the capital in 2011.

But the 32-year-old, who claimed the European title in 2007, will use the event as preparation for a possible world indoor championship tilt before focusing his energies on making history in Brazil.

“It will be an important year for me in 2016 and I’m looking forward to returning to the Great Edinburgh Cross Country to kick off my season,” said Farah. “For many years cross country was a key building block for the year ahead and I’m pleased to add it to my schedule for the first time since I ran in Edinburgh back in 2011.”

Expectations are high that Farah will look to chase world records next summer once the Olympics are behind him. Despite retaining his two world titles in Beijing, Farah – who pulled out of the Edinburgh event in 2014 – has had to cope with the distraction of defending his association with controversial American coach Alberto Salazar but he has still managed to churn out results on the track and the road, including at September’s Great North Run.

“It was a fantastic feeling winning the Great North Run in front of a home crowd,” said Farah, who recently became a father for the fourth time. “I’m sure there will be plenty of support in Edinburgh for my first event in 2016.”