“It never gets old”, beamed the 33-year-old after capturing his second successive 5,000m title on Saturday, winning the Rio final in 13min 3.30sec to emulate Finland’s Lasse Viren, who did the double at the 1972 and 1976 Games.
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Farah already won the 10,000-meter race in Rio to go along with his two gold medals from the same events in London four years ago.
Eilidh Doyle, Anyika Onuora, Emily Diamond and Christine Ohuruogu in the women’s 4×400 relay pushed Great Britain to 66, winning a bronze medal moments after Farah’s victory.
Mo Farah etched himself into Olympic history with a masterful victory over 5000m to complete the “double double” at Rio 2016. “My legs were a bit exhausted after the 10km, I don’t know how I recovered”, Farah told reporters. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it…it hasn’t sunk in yet. No matter what, half injured, whatever, you will see me on that track again. I just want to do what I’m good at.
“To be honest though, I still can not believe it”. “The Olympics gets harder and tougher, but now all my four kids have got one medal each and when I’m one day gone they will have something”. He continued to tell BBC Sport: “It has been a long journey but if you dream of something, have ambitions and are willing to work hard then you can get your dreams”.
“I had about five different strategies planned out in my head on how the race could unfold”. Nurmi has nine Olympic gold medals from the 1920 and 1924 Olympics, while Zatopek won the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon at the 1952 Helsinki Games.
On Saturday, there was no crash to worry about – even though a fall in last week’s 10,000 failed to stop him from claiming gold. I thought about my family.
“You ask what more can I do?”
Mo Farah was surprised at the speed with which the race started.
With the Games ending on Sunday, there are still chances for Great Britain to win more medals this weekend, with Londoner Joe Joyce through to the super-heavyweight final.
‘I wasn’t going to let anyone past me!’
“I’m just proud of what I’ve achieved over the years”, was Farah’s diplomatic response when that accolade was put to him.
“In 2017 for sure you’ll see me on the track”.
“I may make it look easy, but it’s not as easy as you see it”. It’s tough, the guys make it tough.
Farah completed the double-double, two world titles to go with his twin Olympic crowns, kicking with 650m to go and holding off a host of challengers down the home straight. “I’m now officially the most accomplished amateur boxer we have ever had, like ever, and it’s such an unbelievable feeling”.
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In London in 2012, the athletes won 65 medals overall at their home games.
