Mo Farah brought to a close the greatest night in British athletics history with a stunning gold medal in the 10,000m final in London, following on from Jessica Ennis’ Heptathlon success and Greg Rutherford’s gold in the long jump.
Hopes were high for Farah leading into the event, with many expecting the Brit to secure gold and the 29 year old didn’t let the pressure faze him, securing gold to the delight of the home crowd.
Farah ran with the leading pack for the first 2,000m, but dropped back slightly as the pace increased with a breakaway pack led by Zersenay Tadese. Unfazed, Farah waited until the pace slowed up towards the halfway mark before slowly working his way back into the leading group.
As the race reached its final stages, Farah sat sixth with six laps to go and made his charge, breaking to the front with four laps to go. Beginning his sprint at the bell, Farah kicked ahead and wasn’t going to be caught, the Olympic stadium erupting as he sprinted across the line.
Speaking to the BBC, Farah said: “I just can’t believe it, the crowd got so much behind me and was getting louder and louder.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this – it will never get any better than this, this is the best moment of my life.
“It doesn’t come round often and to have it right on the doorstep and the amount of people supporting you and shouting out your name.”
Farah’s training partner, American Galen Rupp, took the silver medal, with Tariku Bekele securing the bronze, Farah’s win bringing to an end a run of four successive Ethiopian wins and stopping Kenenisa Bekele from winning a third consecutive title.
The result means it’s the first time ever that three British athletes have won gold medals in the same evening at an Olympics.
Unlike his compatriots, Rutherford wasn’t the favourite for his event heading into the games and his gold medal certainly comes as a pleasant surprise.
Starting strongly, Rutherford jumped 8.21m in the second round, leading by 14cm at the halfway stage. He extended his advantage with a jump of 8.31m with two jumps to go and watched on as his rivals failed to beat him, the Briton winning by 15cm from Australian Mitchell Watt and American Will Claye.
Rutherford told BBC Sport: “My team are incredible and I have the most amazing parents and beautiful girlfriend in the world. I’ve got a pretty good life, I cannot lie. Everybody has worked so hard for me.
“I thought I was going to jump further than that but I don’t care, I’m Olympic champion. What a night for British athletics, three gold medals and I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Tags: Galen Rupp, Greg Rutherford, jessica ennis, london 2012, Mitchell Watt, Mo Farah, olympics, Tariku Bekele, Team GB, Will Claye
