Mo Farah targeting historic double title win in Beijing

Doping has overshadowed the build-up, with the ruling body IAAF and Russian Federation attacked by allegations in TV documentaries, and Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar also mentioned.

Farah was in the lead but both Kenyans were right over each of his shoulders, but despite throwing the kitchen sink at the Brit, he broke away in the homestretch with his arms out wide to take home the gold with a winning time of 27:01:13. Although that remains a thorny topic during a tumultuous summer that has seen the American coach accused of breaking anti-doping rules. Salazar denies any wrongdoing.

Speaking of the backing he has received from the public, Farah commented: “I’ve been getting great support in terms of social media from the public and I just want to thank everyone who has supported me”. “At the same time, I just like to do what I do best and that is to run”.

Farah is more circumspect, but his belief is clear.

With less than 1600 meters to go, it was Kamworor, Tanui, Karoki along with Farah and Rupp. “The top four and four fastest losers went though and I missed out”.

“I’ve got a long stride so it’s easier to catch, but I don’t know if they were deliberately trying to take me out either”.

The Kenyan front-running tactics, however, were no surprise.

“It’s massive. I think if he doesn’t win, other athletes will go ‘Bloody hell, if Mo can’t even win, what the hell chance have we got?’ Thankfully he’s the type of personality that he doesn’t find that a burden”. So I was hanging in there and hoping it would not take it out of me too much. “It wasn’t easy after what I’ve had to deal with”, he admitted.

There he will face Caleb Ndiku from Kenya and Ethiopians such as Hagos Gebrhiwet, who beat Farah earlier this year in Doha over 3000m. “It means a lot because I never genuinely thought I’d be able to come here year after year and keep doing it”, he said.

Earlier, German Christina Schwanitz confirmed her status as the form shot-putter of 2015 by winning her first championship gold medal with a throw of 20.37 metres.

Sprint rivals Bolt and Gatlin sailed into the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres. The American ran an effortless-looking 9.83 but world record-holder and defending champion Usain Bolt did not look as sharp as he won his heat in 9.96 ahead of Mike Rodgers.

Nigerian-born Qatari Femi Ogunode won the third in 9.99. CJ Ujah was joint 13th (10.05secs), while Richard Kilty scraped through in 10.12secs.

Elsewhere, Richard Kilty and Chijindu Ujah advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m, but compatriot James Dasaolu couldn’t join them.

Those are the only three under 27 seconds this season.

World No. 1 and reigning champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia eased through triple jump qualifying with 14.42m.

Fifteen months after the birth of her first child, the Olympic heptathlon champion arrived in China with expectations deliberately lowered but instead found herself in first place when the second and final day of the competition began this morning, nestling on a tally of 4005 points with GB&NI team-mate Katarina Johnson-Thompson second, just 80 adrift.