Mo Farah uses Taylor Swift to take dig at rival in Twitter row with fellow athlete Andy Vernon

Star of the 2012 Olympics retorts to accusations he is racing against mediocre opposition

Mo Farah, Taylor Swift and Andy Vernon (GETTY IMAGES)

Mo Farah has said Taylor Swift can "probably run faster" than a fellow athlete after becoming embroiled in a Twitter row.

The star of the 2012 Olympics was responding to suggestions that he is running against a weakened field when he races at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham this month.

Andy Vernon, a British long-distance runner who won a silver (behind Farah who won gold) and bronze medal (behind Farah who won gold) at the 2014 European Championships, started the Twitter spat.

"Another stellar field against @Mo_Farah on home turf this weekend at Birmingham. #joke"

A couple of hours later, a clearly disgruntled Farah retorted.

The row continued when Vernon wrote...

"Lol @Mo_Farah I think even you can work out that I can make the cut to the Indoor Grand Prix. Lets hope no one loses their shoe..."

Farah responded again...

Mo Farah of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrates winning gold as Andy Vernon of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (L) wins silver in the Men's 10,000 in Zurich (GETTY IMAGES)

Then Taylor Swift became a part of the conversation...

"@Mo_Farah. 1) stop quoting Taylor Swift. 2) I don't hate you Mo. I would just rather watch a race than the the Mo Show. #playersgonnaplay"

Which cued Farah up for his ultimate put-down...

Farah is competing in the 2-mile event at the Barclaycard Arena on February 21.