In joining that legendary list he also becomes the first British athlete to win more than two gold medals in track or field, having won the long-distance double in London four years ago, with every intention of doing likewise in Rio.
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Speaking after the race, he said: “I’d promised my older daughter Rhianna I was going to get a medal for her and in my mind I was thinking, ‘I can’t let her down'”. I thought about all the hard work and that it could all be gone in a minute.
“I told him to get behind me after that and I’d help lead him back up”, Rupp said. “When I place that medal in her hands, I’ll be crying”, – an emotional Henderson delights in his long jump triumph.
Calling it very “frustrating” to not secure gold, Rutherford added: “I’ve just got to make do and move on from that but I’m pretty gutted”. I couldn’t believe I did it, I’ve never been like that before.
Mo Farah sensationally retained his Olympic 10,000m crown last night- despite being knocked to the ground by his own training partner.
It is a historic win for Team GB, with Laura Trott becoming the first British woman to win three gold medals. With around 300 meters to go Tenui made a decision to go for it, though Farah caught him and sprinted to the finish line to win a historic third gold medal in a time of 27:05.17.
It was about 12 minutes into the race that Farah’s chances took a fall – and not just figuratively.
Farah has also notched up the European double, twice, in 2010 and 2014 to become one of the best middle distance runners of all time. Most recently, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele won gold medals in 2004 and 2008, and fellow Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie won the two previous gold medals.
Tripped or not, it seems nothing can stop Mo Farah over 10,000 metres in a major championship. Rupp, who trains with Farah, slowed down to make sure his partner was going to continue the race before getting back into it himself. “These girls are no joke; I know I’ve got it in me so I just need to keep trying”.
The medal marks a remarkable recovery for the 24-year-old after she recovered from a career-threatening knee injury and a cancer scare.
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As the pace increased in the final laps and the leading bunch lost numbers, the race descended into a winner-takes-all dash for gold between Farah and Kenya’s Paul Tanui, with the Briton always looking favourite to come out on top.
