Mo Farah recovers from stumble to remain on trail of golden double
Defending champion Mo Farah survived a final-lap stumble to cruise into Saturday’s 5,000m final as he bids to snare his second gold medal of the Rio Games.
Farah, who won double gold at London 2012, had to drag himself to his feet after falling during his victory in Saturday’s 10,000m final, which saw him become Britain’s most decorated track and field athlete of all time.
On this occasion, Farah was galloping towards a comfortable qualification when he was accidentally clipped from behind by Hassan Mead of the United States, although he just about managed to keep his balance.
“I’ve got such a long stride, so I find it hard, getting tripped up or tangled up with some,” said Farah. “But I managed to stay on my feet.
“It was quite nerve-racking, just getting yourself back in the zone again. It’s a wake up now to say ‘look, this job isn’t done yet.”
After the highs of Great Britain’s medal-filled Wednesday, which contributed to Rio becoming the nation’s most successful overseas Games, there was a more sedate feel to Wednesday’s action.
Sailors Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark were forced to wait before receiving their Olympic gold medals in the women’s 470 after racing was postponed due to a lack of wind in Marina da Gloria.
The duo are guaranteed gold, having racked up a 20-point lead, so long as they finish the final race. They will try again on Thursday.
“We were looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep,” said Clark. Mills added: “We’ve had a marathon week. Conditions have been wacky, up and down, and to have no wind today is tough.”
Team GB’s Luke Patience and Chris Grube are sixth heading into the final race of the men’s event.