Rio 2016: Mo Farah seals first distance double-double in 40 years

His legs were tired, but Britain's Mo Farah produced blistering pace in the final straight to become the first man in 40 years to retain the two Olympic distance titles

Rio de Janeiro: His legs were tired, but Britain's Mo Farah produced blistering pace in the final straight to become the first man in 40 years to retain the two Olympic distance titles. The 33-year-old, who fought back from a stumble to claim the 10,000m last week, said his victory in the 5,000m on Saturday night had been the most satisfying of the four golds.

Fantastic Farah: Mo Farah of Great Britain celebrates after winning gold in the men’s 5000m at the Olympic Stadium in Rio on Saturday

Farah won his second straight 5,000m in 13min 3.30sec to match the feat of Finland's Lasse Viren who retained the same Olympic titles when he triumphed in the 1972 and 1976 Games in Munich and Montreal.

"Oh my God I can't believe it," said Farah. "It's every athlete's dream but I can't believe it. My legs were tired after the 10,000m and people had to bring me food in my room. This is the most satisfying win of the four, it is incredible," he said.

Mo Farah celebrates his 5000m win with his wife Tania Nell on Saturday 

'This is for my kids'
Farah, who trains in Oregon under ex-marathon great Alberto Salazar, said watching Ethiopian distance legend Kenenisa Bekele medalling had been an inspiration. "When Bekele won all those medals I said I just want one. If you have dreams they can come true and I always wanted to achieve these for my kids because for so much of the year you don't see them and thus you want to show them something or rather the reason for the absences," added Farah.

'I hate to lose'
Kenyan-born American Paul Chelimo took silver in a personal best of 13:03.90. He was initially disqualified but quickly reinstated. Ethiopian Hagos Gebrehiwet claimed bronze in 13:04.35. Gebremeksel finished behind Farah in London four years ago.

"When I hit the front I wasn't going to let them past me," said Farah.

"I wasn't going to let the inside lane go. I didn't want to get boxed in. There was pushing but that is part and parcel of the race. I hate to lose, I have been like that ever since I was a kid, I'm really driven. That's just me."

In a stellar career, Farah has already achieved the world double-double at the 2015 and 2013 championships in Beijing and Moscow. 

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!