Man of the Moment
Mo Farah heads to Rio in fine form after stealing the show at the Anniversary Games in London by winning the 5000m in the fastest time in the world this year
ALWAYS leave them wanting Mo. The first rule of show business was adhered to and then some at the Mueller Anniver sary Games in London yesterday as Mo Farah rounded off his Olympic preparations with a victory in the 5000m so comprehensive it was as if he were in a different race to the rest.
The double gold medal winner was the man the majority of the crowd had come to see and he did not disappoint. At the scene of his greatest triumphs four years ago, the 33-year-old proved emphatically that he will again be the man to beat in Rio next month.
His time of 12:59:29 was the fastest in the world this year as he left the pack trailing in his wake, before pulling off his trademark Mobot celebration as he crossed the finishing line. London roared its approval, while Farah dedicated the victory to his daughter Rhianna whose birthday it was on Friday.
“I got amazing support from the crowd – I just wanted to go for it,” he said. “It was my last chance to run quick before Rio. I love this track, it means a lot to me. Not many people get a chance to compete in their home town and have so many memories.
“Rio is right around the corner but it means a lot to get the win before going into those championships.
“I am in good shape but I have to keep my feet on the ground. Anything can happen in two and a half weeks, it is all about staying patient now.”
Following Farah to the line was the unlikely figure of Andy Butchart, the Scot putting in a thunderous final lap to beat a raft of Americans and the Kenyan Bernard Lagat in a sprint finish. The recently-crowned British champion from Dunblane has been in good form this season – setting Scottish records over 3000m and 5000m – and this was another sign of his burgeoning confidence ahead of the Olympics.
“I have been at altitude for the last four weeks and know I am in shape,” he said. “It gives you something of a boost and you feel like you can breathe easier. I have never experienced a crowd like this in my life, if I can experience that again in my lifetime I’ll be delighted.”
There was a second-place finish, too, for Lynsey Sharp over 800m. The Scot had looked strong as she powered towards the finishing line but by the time she had managed to navigate a path around the American Molly Ludlow there was no time to catch winner Shelayna Oskan-Clarke. A knock to the knee left her limping up the tunnel at the end although it did not appear too serious an injury.
“I am in good form at the moment and felt good but Shelayna was just stronger in the home straight,” she said. “Endurance running in Britain is so strong at the moment. Scottish distance running in particular has come on a lot; Laura Muir ran a British record last night so there are some good results.”
She later tweeted: “Apologies for not interacting much after the race. I took a knock to my knee so had to rush off to get it seen to. What an amazing crowd, though.”
There was disappointment for the other Scot competing in the Diamond League events. Lennie Waite, the Paisley-born, Texas-based athlete, had been hoping for a strong performance in the 3000m steeplechase on her final outing before Rio but she pulled up with three laps to go and didn’t finish the race.
“I irritated my fat pad on the second water jump,” she explained. “I wanted to finish but the hobble and pain was getting worse and I have a bigger race ahead.”
At the IPC Athletics Grand Prix earlier in the day, Scottish Commonwealth Gold medallist Libby Clegg won the women’s 200m T11/12 race, despite doing so wearing a blindfold in competition for the first time.
The 26-year-old has a deteriorating eye condition and was recently reclassified from T12 to T11 in the categories relating to visual impairment. Clegg had said beforehand she was “absolutely terrified” about running blindfolded but showed no sign of inhibition as she and her guide Chris Clark eased to victory.
“I am absolutely gobsmacked at how I have performed, I can’t believe it,” she said. “I have been getting better and better with every race and I’m loving every minute of it so far.”
I got amazing support. I just wanted to go for it. It was my last chance to run quick before Rio