Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 5000 metres

Summary

Mo Farah was the man to beat in the men's 5000 metres at the 2016 Summer Olympics, held from 16 to 20 August at the Olympic Stadium. He had won the 2012 Olympic title and the last two World Championships in the event, owned the year's fastest time at 12:59.29, and had already taken gold in the 10,000 metres earlier in Rio. His main rivals included Kenya's Caleb Ndiku and Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet, both 2015 World medallists, with Gebrhiwet in strong form. Also in the field were 2012 Olympic silver medallist Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia and three-time world medallist Bernard Lagat. The heats produced a surprise: Kenya, a distance-running powerhouse, failed to qualify any athletes for the final. However, three Kenyan-born runners made it: Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo and 41-year-old Lagat for the United States, and Albert Kibichii Rop for Bahrain. Ethiopia had three finalists, plus Birhanu Balew running for Bahrain. Uganda sent two athletes. Mohammed Ahmed (Canada), Hassan Mead (United States), and defending champion Mo Farah (Great Britain) were all born in Somalia. Andrew Butchart was the other British finalist, while American-born David Torrence ran for Peru. In the first heat, Mead tripped over Farah's back foot, both stumbling and Mead falling. Farah recovered to finish third and qualify. The United States successfully protested, and Mead was added to the final without any disqualification. This race completed Farah's attempt at a second Olympic double in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. His tactics were predictable, so someone needed a different plan. In the final, Ethiopians Gebremeskel and Gebrhiwet took the lead from the start, while Farah hung at the back as usual. Chelimo tucked in behind them. Farah moved up earlier than normal to the middle of the pack. Gebrhiwet did most of the leading. Nineteen-year-old Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei of Uganda shadowed Farah. With five and a half laps left, Chelimo passed Gebrhiwet, who dropped back, and Farah surged to the front. With four and a half laps to go, the pack tightened, and Farah controlled the race. Butchart moved up alongside Farah, then Cheptegei joined, creating a three-wide wall. Butchart soon faded, but Cheptegei stayed. With a lap and a half left, Cheptegei tried to pass, but Farah matched him. Gebrhiwet then made a bold move, colliding with Muktar Edris as he sprinted past Cheptegei to lead at the line. Farah and Gebrhiwet exchanged elbows, and Farah blocked him from the inside. Chelimo filled the gap. On the final backstretch, Gebrhiwet elbowed Chelimo, who stumbled and made contact with Ahmed. Chelimo recovered, moved to the outside, and sprinted past Farah on the home stretch, nearly reaching his shoulder. Farah accelerated again, winning by five metres. Chelimo finished second, followed by Gebrhiwet, Edris, Ahmed, and Lagat. Farah knelt and kissed the track. After the victory lap, Chelimo, Ahmed, and Edris were disqualified, giving Gebrhiwet silver and Lagat bronze. Chelimo, shocked in a TV interview, appealed. The decision was mostly reversed: Chelimo and Ahmed were reinstated, but Edris remained disqualified. The medals were presented by IOC member Anant Singh of South Africa, and gifts by IAAF Council member Ahmed Al Kamali. The winning margin was 0.60 seconds.