Dominant Farah warms up for Rio Olympics in style

LONDON: Mo Farah returned to the scene of his 2012 Olympic glory and completed his preparations for the defence of his distance double in Rio with a crushing sub-13-minute

LONDON: Mo Farah returned to the scene of his 2012 Olympic glory and completed his preparations for the defence of his distance double in Rio with a crushing sub-13-minute victory in the 5,000 metres at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday.

HT Image

The Briton was never threatened in a celebrational procession, running solo for the second half of the race and putting in a late burst to cross the line in 12.59.29 -- the fastest time in the world this year.

Fellow Briton Andrew Butchart out-kicked veteran American Bernard Lagat for second place but they were effectively in a separate race, coming in 15 seconds behind. “I just wanted to go for it. It was my last chance to run quick before Rio. This track has so much meaning for me and I got amazing support from the crowd,” said Farah, who grew up in London after leaving Somalia as a boy.

“Rio is right around the corner and I’m in good shape. I just have to keep my feet on the ground and stay patient but I’m excited.”

Farah will start as favourite in both the 5,000 and 10,000m in Rio next month -- only Finn Lasse Viren has retained both titles - while at the other end of the scale Dafne Schippers will seek the 100m/200m sprint double.