Athletics World Championship 2015: Mo Farah ready for next Kenyan attack as he eyes unique treble
There has been an aura of invincibility to Farah since his first global title over 5,000m at the 2011 World Championships
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Shortly after the 10,000 metres, Mo Farah overheard the Kenyan trio who had tried to thwart his gold medal challenge talk of their failed attempt to “kill” him on track.
Geoffrey Kamworor, Paul Tanui and Bedan Muchiri worked together from lap three to try to unsettle Farah’s rhythm, only for him to outsprint them in the home straight and take the title.
Looking back at the aftermath of Saturday’s race, Farah said: “One made a comment. Someone said, ‘You tried to kill him’, and another said, ‘Ah, no, we can’t kill this guy’.”
Farah faces four rather than three Kenyans in the 5,000m final – should he qualify from the heats – and said he expected a similar assassination attempt.
There has been an aura of invincibility to Farah since his first global title over 5,000m at the 2011 World Championships and he has won every global title since. He is now attempting an unprecedented hat-trick of double global distance titles.
Despite his remarkable level of achievement in being crowned 10,000m and 5,000m champion at Olympic, world and European level previously, he said there were times that he felt unappreciated and warned the British public they would miss him when he was gone.
“It’s not easy,” he said, “and I don’t blame people. They don’t see what it takes. I wish sometimes people were there to see you at training, when you are on the floor when you have done back-to-back runs or at high altitude. In everything we do, when it’s gone, then you look back and learn.”
Farah has recovered well from a punishing 27-minute pace for the 10,000m and still looks to have fresh legs. And his expectation is that the Kenyans will once again work to upset him come the final.
“There are four Kenyan guys in the 5k,” he said, “It could be a fast one, they will be thinking, ‘Mo will be tired from the 10’, or it could come down to the last six or seven laps, I honestly don’t know.
“This will be a little harder than at previous championships. It would be easier if they sit back and wait until there are two laps to go but I don’t think it is going to come to that. They were smart, they might do the same thing.”
In the past, whatever has tended to be thrown at Farah on the track, be it in Daegu, London, Moscow, Glasgow or Beijing, he has thrown back with interest, his kick for the line around the final bend and into the home straight being too much for those previously trying to unpick him.
Asked whether he can achieve another global double, he said simply: “It’s possible.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments