Mo Farah is one of the top gold medal chances for Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games. The distance runner will be defending his Gold Medal double that he earned at London 2012, taking the title in the 10,000m and the 5,000. With his win at the longer distance, he became the first ever Briton to win gold in the event. Now he will be out at Rio 2016 to go for the title defence in both disciplines and there doesn’t look to be anyone around who can really stop him.
Farah has had something of a quiet season so far, but broke the 3000 British Record in June and he took a third place finish in the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon. Never before has a Britain won three gold medals in track and field, but this time, Farah could finish up with a four gold medal haul if he lands victories in both. He is the reigning champion in the World Championships at the distances, completing the double in Moscow and Beijing so knows what title defences are all about.
Farah is actually the most successful athlete in the history of the European Athletic Championships as well, having defended gold in the 10,000m and 5,000m there as well. Will we see the Mobot, he famous celebration dance? He really looks unstoppable the only races that he has failed to win was the 10,000m at the World Championships in Daegu in 2011 coming home second, and the 3000m in the World Indoor Championships in 2012. He is unbeaten in his last ten races (six of them 5,000m four of them 10,000m).
There’s really no-one else around that looks capable of matching his pace really over either distance. Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia is the new kid on the block having won golds at youth level, notably in the 2014 World Junior Championships. He went up against Farah in the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and came home fourth, but his personal record of 12:53.98 in the 5000m, set in 2015, is a cracking pace considering that Farah’s PB in the distance is 12.53.11 set in 2011.
But experience would count here for Farah, who is used to the big stage and has won time and time again on it. Kejelcha is just 19 years old and perhaps one by the future to follow in the footsteps of Farah. Up in the 10,000m in opposition to Farah though is Geoffrey Kipsang-Kamworor who is likely to be his main challenger. The Ethiopian won silver at the 2015 Beijing World Championships behind Farah and has more of a track record in the marathon than anything. The lack of serious contenders here should make comfortable running for Farah over both distances.
Men’s 5000m Outright
Mo Farah 1/3, Yomif Kejelcha 10/1, Muktar Edris 11/1, Abrar Osman 12/1, Caleb Ndiku 14/1, 15/1 bar
Men’s 10000m Outright
Mo Farah 5/18, Geoffrey Kipsang-Kamworor 5/1, Paul Tanui 20/1, Yigrem Demelash 12/1, 25/1 bar
The Final of the men’s 5000, is on August 20th while the Final of the men’s 10,000m is on August 13th. Online betting site Paddy Power are running Dope Insurance on all events at the Olympics 2016. If any Team GB Or Ireland athletes finish second to a Russian then Paddy Power will refund your lost stake for you. Register an account with Paddy Power and earn up to £30 worth of free bets as a welcome bonus.
