The US recorded a season’s best 3 minutes 19.06 seconds to defeat Jamaica by 1.28 seconds.
Advertisement
The 33-year-old Somali-born Londoner once again produced a superb tactical race to outfox his rivals and take gold in 13min 03.30sec. “I just want to go home now and see my attractive kids and hang my medals around their necks”.
The likes of the great Emil Zatopek, for example, collected three golds and a silver on the four occasions he contested Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m finals, although he also did win the marathon (Helsinki, 1952), which will no doubt be a goal of Farah’s at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Farah completed the feat despite tripping in a nerve wracking incident during the final of the 10,000-meter race one week ago.
Team GB now has a total of 66 medals, surpassing its London 2012 tally of 65.
Great Britain’s Farah became the first since the Finn Lasse Viren (1972, 1976) to win the distance “double-double” and did so in thrilling fashion.
Their success was the 13th gold, and 31st medal, in track and field events for the United States in Rio.
Farah beat off strong competition from Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet and USA runner Bernard Lagat, running a 13:03.30 race that showcased his physical and psychological talents. He won it comfortably and celebrated with his arms out flying before taping his head for the Mo “M” symbol. The 37-year-old took the gold medal on a countback after being one of four competitors with a best leap of 1.97m. I hate to lose, I have been like that ever since I was a kid, I’m really driven.
While Farah and Semenya lived up to high expectations, there was a surprise victor of the men’s 1500m. What a privilege to see this man collect a fourth Olympic medal in style.
In the shrouds of history, there is still Emil Zatopek of the Czech Republic and Paavo Nurmi of Finland, but the changes in competition make an accurate comparison impossible.
The 37-year-old became the oldest woman to win an Olympic jumping event after clearing 1.97m.
It’s easier to call him long distance running’s answer to Bolt, the man who came over to embrace Farah in the warmup zone ahead of the race.
Three competitors, including second-place finisher Chelimo, were initially disqualified.
Had those disqualifications stood, American Bernard Lagat, who finished fifth, would have claimed the bronze.
Reports are that Chelimo has been reinstated and will take silver in the men’s 5000 meters at the Rio Olympics.
Advertisement
None of that affected Farah. I went to the front and I know the guys were thinking about me, so I controlled the race.
