Farah bids farewell to athletics with victory at Birmingham

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/000_RP6MR.jpg

Britain's Mo Farah competes in the men's 3,000m during the 2017 IAAF Birmingham Diamond League athletics meeting at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 20, 2017. Oli SCARFF / AF

Mo Farah wasn’t challenged at the Muller Grand Prix in the same way he was at the recent IAAF World Championships’ London 2017, but his victory at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Birmingham yesterday marked a significant milestone nonetheless.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist was contesting his final track race on British soil. There were never any real worries over whether or not he would win, but for a brief moment on the final lap, Spain’s Adel Mechaal and Kenya’s Davis Kiplangat looked poised to challenge the world 10,000m champion.

Farah, though, still had a gear left as he approached the home straight. And once he knew had it in the bag, he punched the air in delight to whip up support from the crowd and went on to cross the line in 7:38.64. Mechaal finished second in 7:40.34, a stride ahead of Kiplangat.

“It has been an amazing week,” said Farah, who took silver in the 5000m in London. “I’ve managed to have a bit of downtime with the family and relax, but emotions have been high coming into this event; not as much as London but it is my last time at home and I really enjoyed it.

“I never dreamed that I would come a four-time Olympic champion and multiple world champion,” he added. “Running was a hobby when I was younger but it has become a job and I love it. I now have to see what I will do on the road. I don’t think I’ll have the same pressure so I’ll go and enjoy it.”