Athletics: Farah completes dream double

The 30-year-old claimed the 5,000 metres title at the Luzhniki Stadium, producing another trademark lung-bursting kick down the home straight, just six days after racing to glory in the 10,000m.

He won in 13 minutes 26.98 seconds, crossing the line ahead of Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet.

Victory ensured he become only the second man ever after Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele to win both long-distance titles at the Olympics and the World Championships.

It took Farah's tally of global gold medals to five, having also won the 5,000m two years ago in Daegu.

Farah's rivals once again played into his hands with the slow pace, the Briton unleashing his kick with around 650m to go.

It looked at one point as if he might be caught, with several runners still in contention coming into the home straight, but Farah, his face contorted with effort, dug into his deepest reserves of energy to pull away and win by 0.28secs.

His last lap was timed at a typically rapid 53.51s.

Kenya's Isaiah Kiplangat Koech took bronze.

Farah dropped to his knees to kiss the blue Mondo track after crossing the line before embracing his coach Alberto Salazar.

Farah and his American training partner Galen Rupp were the only two athletes attempting the double, leaving their fresher rivals with a distinct advantage.

UK Athletics head of science Barry Fudge had said victory for the 30-year-old would be a "long shot" because of the toll winning the 10,000m crown would have taken on his body.

He managed it in London last summer, but on that occasion he had one extra day to recover.

Farah, though, is no ordinary athlete.

Five athletes in the field had faster personal bests than him and seven had gone quicker than him this season.

But they simply cannot find a way to beat him on the big stage.

Full teams of Ethiopians and Kenyans attempted to do so in the 10,000m only to have no answer to his blistering final lap, and they fared no better tonight.

Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Brendan Foster told BBC Sport: "After that victory tonight he is twice Olympic champion and three-times world champion.

"For my money he is the greatest athlete we've ever had in this country. He put himself at the front and he would not let them past."

The only thing now missing from Farah's resume is a world record. Bekele holds both over 5,000m and 10,000m with times of 12:37.35 and 26:17.53 respectively.

Paula Radcliffe, the marathon world record holder, added: "I am so proud of him. He totally believed and had confidence in what he was doing.

"He had to work and work and work. He managed to get to the front, where he wanted to be and where he wanted to control from, then it was all about holding his position."

Farah told BBC2: "It's amazing that Brendan and the team are saying great things about me.

"It's something I've worked so hard for and all I was thinking about was my kids and how much time I have been away from them.

"And all the hard work I have put in so I wasn't going to let that go.

"It's very difficult. They (his twin baby daughters) are growing so fast and I haven't been around for the last four or five months.

"They don't really recognise me so I'm looking forward to spending time with them."

Farah added: "It was a lot more hard work than last year.

"Alberto has done a great job for me. He made my career, I never thought I would achieve something like this.

"I know I work hard for it, but you need the right people and I'm glad I've got the right people.

"It was very tough, I thought the guys would have worked more as a team.

"I've had a lot of pressure, but at the same time I enjoy it.

"I am very proud to represent my country and hold the Union Jack."

Great Britain's men's 4x400m relay team were unable to make it a double celebration, though, as they had to settle for fourth place.

Nigel Levine was well-placed going into the anchor leg but appeared to lose ground as a group of runners fought for position. He finished very strongly down the home straight, but had left himself too much to do.