European Athletics (EAA) – News – Farah fires to second gold in Paris

Mo Farah promised something fast after his semi-final yesterday. But this afternoon the Briton who won double distance gold in Barcelona last summer needed all his championships pedigree and tactical nouse to retain his 3000m title in the face of a stern challenge from Hayle Ibrahimov.

Farah held off the Azerbaijani on a furious last lap to take the gold in 7:53.00, nearly 13 seconds slower than his championships record from Turin two years ago. It is a mark of how much he has improved in recent years that Farah never looked troubled despite finding a slew of rivals on his heels throughout the race.

He led for much of the second half and crossed the line more than half a second clear of Ibrahimov to become the first man to retain this title since Spain’s José Luís González won two on the trot in 1987 and 1988.

Back then Farah was a five-year-old east African child, but the 26-year-old Somali-born distance runner today demonstrated his sprinting power as Ibrahimov attacked over the last 200m.

The 21-year-old was rewarded for his temerity with a silver medal to go with the 5000m bronze he won behind Farah in Barcelona. Ibrahimov, himself born in Ethiopia, did “a Farah” when he won 5000m and 10,000m golds at the European junior championships two years ago. Now he has his first senior indoor medal.

Halil Akkas won the battle for bronze behind the two principals, the Turk getting the better of Andrew Baddeley in the last 100m to take third in 7:54.19 denying Britain a second medal.

After placing fourth at the 2006 world indoors in Moscow, fourth in Birmingham 2007 and at the 2006 European championships in Gothenburg, Akkas was understandably delighted to be on the podium. “I am finally with a medal,” he said.

“It was a tough race,” said Farah. “I had to push myself in the last lap. But I was ready for that. I work hard in training for these kind of races.”

Farah first took the lead with ten laps to go, immediately stretching the lead. With a best of 7:35.81 this season, more than six seconds faster than anyoine else in the field, Farah could have just taken off and for a brief moment it seemed that was his intention.

But Ibrahmiov immediately made his presence felt and Turkey’s Mert Girmalgese took over for two laps. Farah moved to the front again with six to go as Akkas now came into the picture with Baddeley on his heels.

That’s how it stayed till Farah wound up the pace on the penultimate lap. Only Ibrahimov was still in touch at the bell and he made a bid for glory down the back straight.

The Briton was having none of it, though. His opponent attempted to pass as they entered the home straight but Farah moved out to lane two, glanced left and right, moved back to the inside and killed the challenge.

“I couldn’t see anything on the screen, that’s whyI focused on my pace,” said Farah. “I knew Ibrahimov would be strong until the end.”

“I am satisfied but I wanted victory,” said Ibrahimov, who hurt his leg in the semi-final but still claimed Azerbaijan’s first ever European indoor medal.

“This medal was very important for my country because we do not have many athletes and all the people were watching,” he said. “Now I have big motivation for the summer.”

Next up for Farah, a half marathon in New York.

 European Athletics (EAA) – News

 

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