Farah’s immediate aim is to win more medals rather than breaking world records. PHOTO: AFP
Mo Farah overcame a crippling early stitch to defend his world 5,000 metres title and claim a rare world and Olympic double in the long-distance events.
In what will be reassuring news to amateur runners across the globe, the Briton admitted that he was hoping for a slow pace in the race to recover from his stitch.
“Early in the race I had a big stitch so I was hoping the pace wouldn’t go as fast and it didn’t, it all went well and I just tried to stay out of trouble,” said Farah, who won an emotional double gold at the Olympics last year in the Somalia-born athlete’s adopted home city of London.
The Briton described his victory as the runaway best of his career, which has blossomed since he teamed up with Alberto Salazar in Portland, Oregon.
“This double was definitely tougher than the Olympics one because last year nobody knew what I was capable of,” added Farah. “Today was indeed one of the most important days in my career, but I’m the same old guy.
“I had a stitch and it was important I had to try and get over it. My legs felt okay. I was a lot more heavy than the other guys because they didn’t run the 10,000m.”
In winning the double-double, Farah emulated Kenenisa Bekele’s similar exploits at the 2009 worlds in Berlin, which followed his victories in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2013.
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