DAY ONE : MO FARAH WINS GOLD IN THE 10,000 METRES

 By AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE LONDON STADIUM

Mo Farah won the 10,000 gold, on day 1, at the World Athletics Championships here in London in 26:49.51.  All week the media criticised him for refusing to speak to the press in the build up to these World Championships. Mo did his talking on the track. He has come up against different tactics from the likes of the Ethiopians and Kenyans but he always has an answer for them. He did not hit the front until the final lap as he sprinted for the finish.  Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei of Uganda won the silver while Paul Tanui who was part of a Kenyan trio that shared the lead for most of the race won the Bronze medal.

The victorious Farah said: “It was amazing tonight, I had to get my head around it. I got a bit emotional at the start and then I just had to get in the zone. It has all been amazing.

On encouraging the crowd: “I just wanted to play with the guy’s head. It wasn’t an easy race though. It has been a long journey where I have worked very hard on long distance but also speed.

“But what a way to end my career in London. This was very special.

“I knew at 12 laps to go when they went hard from there I knew it was going to be tough. It was about believing in my sprint finish and knowing that I have been in that position before. It helped a lot having that experience.

“That was a special moment for me. I miss spending time with them (my family). To have my family on the track is very special.

“Anything is possible if you train hard.”The Kenyans, Ugandans and Ethiopians all gave me a race. Fair play to them, they worked hard. I just had to stay strong and remember that I didn’t put all this work in for nothing.

“Half way through the race I was thinking this is tough. I didn’t think I’d lose but I knew it was very tough.

“I am hurt. I’ve got a few cuts and bruises but I just have to be strong now. I’ll see the doctors and then get ready for the 5000m. I’ve got a few days now to get ready.”

In the men’s 100 metres heats Christian Coleman, Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin, Chijindu Ujah, Ben Meite and James Dasaolu all qualified for tomorrow’s semi final. The only person who dipped under 10 seconds was Jamaica’s Julian Forte, who ran a personal best of 9.99secs.  Akani Simbine qualified as one of the fastest losers.  Sadly, Thando Roto of South Africa was disqualified in the same heat as Usain Bolt as he false-started.

The British crowd were harsh as they booed Gatlin due to his past doping violation. However that could be interpreted as being unfair as he is not the first person to fail a dope test and he has served his ban.

The first heat of the Women’s 1500 was packed, however Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia), Caster Semenya(South Africa) and Winny Chebet (Kenya) made it a 1-2-3 in the first round of the women’s 1500metres at the 2017 World Athletics Championships to qualify for the final, which takes place on Monday.  Rababe Arafi of Morocco also qualified in 5^th place.  Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) and Malika Akkaoui came 3^rd and 5^th in the second heat and also made the final.

South African Luva Mayongo qualified for the final of the Men’s Long jump. His compatriot Rushwahl Samaai also qualified for the final. He said: “There was no need to be nervous. I was so far away from the board in all jumps so I just knew that when I hit the board, I will qualify. It took me till the third attempt but I can tell you, I needed this lesson to be ready for the final. “My last two years were like a rollercoaster. It was all ups and downs, injuries… So it was the injuries that kept me away from medals in the past. Now I am injury free, I feel blessed and so I am ready to fly far tomorrow.

“When I think of Beijing two years ago, it was a disaster. I felt a bit nervous because of this in the morning. I just told myself to relax and just enjoy these moments. I need to enjoy it to execute well.”