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Briton seals first distance double-double in 40 years
AFP
Rio de Janeiro
Britain's Mo Farah became the first man since Finland's Lasse Viren in 1976 to retain two Olympic distance titles when he raced to his"most satisfying"victory in the 5000m on Saturday.
After retaining the 10,000m title last week, Farah produced an exemplary race to win a second 5km gold in 13min 03.30sec.
"Oh my God I can't believe it!" said Farah.
"My legs were tired after the 10,000m and people had to bring me food in my room.
"This is the most satisfying win of the four, it is incredible."
Farah, who trains in Oregon under ex-marathon great Alberto Salazar, said watching Ethiopian distance legend Kenenisa Bekele medalling had been an inspiration.
"To be honest I can't believe it," he said."When Bekele won all those medals I said I just want one.
"If you have dreams they can come true and I always wanted to achieve these for my kids because for so much of the year you don't see them and thus you want to show them something or rather the reason for the absences."
Ethiopian Hagos Gebrehiwet took silver in 13:04.35 while Kenyan-born American veteran Bernard Lagat claimed bronze (13:06.78).
Another Kenyan-born American, Paul Chelimo, was initially awarded silver before being disqualified.
Dejen Gebremeksel, silver medallist behind Farah in London four years ago, and Gebrhiwet set out on a fast pace, Farah sat at the end of the strung-out field at the Olympic Stadium in perfect conditions.
