Sweet bronze for Longosiwa, Jelimo ousted

By Robin Toskin and Joshua Kemboi

Thomas Pkemoi Longosiwa won Kenya another precious Olympic bronze medal in 5000m, and his second in the greatest athlete’s event on earth, after a lung-bursting dash to the tape in London.

Longosiwa’s bronze came on a night poster girl Pamela Jelimo relinquished her gold medal she won four years ago in Beijing, China, as she was swept aside by Russia’s Mariya Savinova who returned 1:56.19. South Africa’s Caster Semenya late kick saw her win silver medal in 1:57.23.

Jelimo wilted a few metres from the finish line as another Russian, Ekaterina Poistogova, posted 1:57.53 for bronze Janeth Jepkosgei finished last in 2:00.19.

In the 5000m, Youngster Isiah Kiplagat Koech timed 13:43.83 for fifth place behind former homeboy Bernard Lagat who now races for the United States.

Great Britain’ s Mo Farah won it in 13:41.66  to beat Ethiopia’s Dejen Gebremeskel, who ran 13.41.96 min to win silver. Longosiwa was third in 13:42.36 minutes.

Farah’s feat meant he completed a double having won the 10,000m gold medal.

Ethiopia’s gebremeskel outsprinted Longosiwa in the last 20 metres to bag silver. Isaiah kiplagat koech, better known as Mr Chairman boxed himself in the home stretch thus denying him an opportunity to make chase.

Mo farah ran his own race, choosing to run from behind in the first three laps, often testing the waters but it was not until the 10th lap when the Somali-born Briton charged forward.

Lopez Lomong from the united states had dictated the pace earlier but he soon ran out of steam as Kiplagat Koech, Lomong and Bernard Lagat both from American locked the front row.

The men’s 5000m was the other hope Kenya had hopes for Gold in London but now Kenya has to wait for another four years to try her luck in Rio, Brazil.