The scene was set. 85,000 packed into the stadium. A warm August evening in East London. The eyes of the world were on Stratford.
A week ago GB won 3 Gold medals in the 57 of the most incredible minutes of UK sporting history. In 183 hours of action on the track since. Nothing. A silver and a bronze, a series of incredible performances by Usain Bolt and world record in the 800 metres but nothing else of note from the Brits. Until tonight.
Mohammad Farah. 28 years old. Somalian born, who came to London when he was 8, humble & tip top bloke. 10,000 metre Olympic champion lined up on the start line for the 5,000 metres. Everyone was wondering if could he double up? The hopes of the nation were on him.
What followed in the next 14 minutes elevated him to status of Olympic legend and UK sporting icon. The race was slow but dramatic, the pace slowly building to a frenzied crescendo. The final few laps were furious. The Athletes incredible. He ran a superb race. In control throughout. Superbly conditioned, ultra confident and oozing class.
In the final 4 laps he hit the front and stayed there. The bell rang and with 400m to go he kicked for home. The crowd were going nuts as was i, (and 17 million others at home) and just as he did last Saturday he kicked, pulled away and smashed the field to win Gold.
It was a moment that trancsended human nature. Pure emotion. Wonder. He was performing at the absolute peak of human powers. The Best sporting moment in UK Athletics ever. All of his training, dedication, skill coming to fruition in that end. He was literally sprinting flat out for laps and laps. Pulling a 49 second final lap out of the bag. Incredible. Inspiring. Thrilling.
He looked at the field trailing in his wake and said. 'Come on then you fuckers. I'll beat you all day long'. He was masterful. It was thrilling to watch. I loved it. Big up Mo. And what an ace fella. Twins on the way and gold for each one. Legend.
Then flicked over to see Tom Daley clinch bronze in the 10m dive. The boy has got a load of stick in the past, but anyone who loses their father at 17 and has to deal with the pressure of the media deserves huge credit and respect. Plus the fact he dives off a 10m board, as when i stand up there i shit myself and struggle to dive bomb off, let alone do a 3 somersault reverse with pike.
He dived like Didier Drogba in his prime and faced with a final dive of supreme pressure, nailed it, securing bronze. Good lad. Another great human story and Olympic moment.
The boxers bagged a couple of golds and the flying accountant Ed Mceever won the 200m canoe sprint (a nuts event where they just canoed like bastards for 200meters in a blur of rotating oars) - leaving GB with a gold haul of 4 today and a thrilling bronze.
What a penultimate night. Both Saturday nights have been such a buzz. Incredible performances. The Olympics is truly superb and by far and away the best sporting event Ever.
I'm so moved i even forgot about my terminal man flu for a few hours after spending literally all day on the sofa watching the 'Lympics. I'm trying not to think about Monday when it's all over. It will feel like you've been dumped. A replacement distraction will have to be found.
Tomorrow is the last day. I am going to the men's marathon to wave goodbye to the games and then watch the closing ceremony. It will be sad. It has been a monumental event and i shall write about it in tomorrows blog.
Whats your favourite Olympic moment? Top Ten moments? Is it Mo? Bolt? Wiggo? Chris Hoy? Ennis? The Judo lady dedicating her medal to her late mum? Tom Daley getting bronze? Clare Balding's hair?
What do you think readers? Is it just me overdoing it or is this really the greatest sporting event in history.
But the final word goes to the main man tonight. The double Olympic Champion. The inspiration that is Mo Farah. We appluad you little man. Much love
@goanick
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Great blog. Says it all.....
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