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Valiant Farah forced to settle for silver

Mo Farah collapses, dejected © Getty Images

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• Profile: Mo Farah

Mo Farah was denied a stunning gold medal in the men's 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Daegu, as Ethiopia's Ibrahim Jeilan agonisingly overhauled him in the final 10 metres.

In what was still a landmark performance for British distance running, the 28-year-old appeared to have run the perfect race as he kicked clear of the field with 500m remaining, but Jeilan produced a lightning fast final lap to reel him in and pass him just before the line.

"I saw with 100m he was there, the crowd was getting loud, but unfortunately my legs just couldn't give me any more," Farah said afterwards. "I'm disappointed, it would have been nice to get the gold, but I said all along that I can run fast but World Championships are completely different, and this was completely different."

Farah ran a final lap of 53 seconds, but Jeilan somehow found the reserves to better that. Another Ethiopian, Imane Merga, claimed third.

"It was quick, but it wasn't quick enough," Farah added. "I gave it 110 per cent. It wasn't enough.

"It means a lot winning a major medal. It would have been nice to get gold but the better man won in the day."

It was a disappointing end to what appeared to be a tactically-astute race from Farah, who stayed in the pack for much of the race before moving to the front with little over five laps remaining. He was helped that the defending champion, Kenenisa Bekele, withdrew with 10 laps remaining - citing ongoing problems with a groin injury as the cause behind his first ever defeat at the distance.

In truth he was unable to keep up with Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese, who orchestrated a testing early pace. But, come the final few laps it was Farah and Jeilan who looked the strongest duo, with the former deciding to break for the line just before the final bell.

After opening up a six-metre gap on the back straight he looked to be on his way to victory, but Jeilan came back strong to break Team GB hearts.

Farah subsequently revealed he plans to also compete in the 5,000m later in the day, although that depends on how he recovers from Sunday's race and the verdict of his medical and coaching team.

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