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Olympic Games 2016

Britain's Mo Farah celebrates rare 'double-double' win in Rio

Farah has become the first man in 40 years to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m races at two consecutive Olympics.

Britain's Mo Farah wearing his two medals achieved at Rio on Saturday evening.
Britain's Mo Farah wearing his two medals achieved at Rio on Saturday evening. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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Britain’s Mo Farah achieved a ‘double-double’ in Rio on Saturday night, after clinching the 5,000m title in an astonishing 13min 3.30sec. “Oh my God I can’t believe it,” said Farah. “It’s every athlete’s dream but I can’t believe it.”

Known for his fast acceleration in the final lap of his races, Farah finished his last lap in only 52.83sec, faster than his final lap at the London 2012 games.

Following the 5,000m win, Farah now holds four Olympic titles.

“This is the most satisfying win of the four, it is incredible,” said Farah.

Paul Chelimo of the United States took silver after finishing in 13:03.90, breaking his previous personal best by 15 seconds. Chelimo was temporarily disqualified for a lane infringement, but was eventually reinstated after an appeal.

Ethiopian Hagos Gebrehiwat claimed bronze after finishing with a time of 13:04.35.
Farah started the race in the back of the pack of 15 runners, but eventually eased his way in to sixth, then pushed his way to the front in the final four laps, as is his signature move to strongly accelerate towards the last leg.

In the final 250m, Gebrhiwet and Farah were head to head, but ultimately Farah pushed his way through to the head of the pack.

At one point it looked like Chelimo was slightly ahead of Farah on the final stretch of the race, but ultimately Farah proved to be too fast for any of his opponents.

Farah is the first person to achieve the long distance ‘double-double’ in 40 years, the last being Finnish runner Lasse Virén at the 1972 and 1976 games.

Farah, who had dedicated his previous three Olympic golds to his twin daughters, Amani and Aisha, and his oldest daughter Rihanna, dedicated Saturday’s medal to his young son Hussein.

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