BARCELONA 2010: Mo Farah romps to 5000m for second Euro gold

By Nick Clowes, Sportsbeat, in Barcelona

 MO Farah marauded his way to 5000m gold at the European Championships - his second title in five days - to confirm his status as the finest distance runner on the continent.

DOUBLING UP: Mo Farah completes a historic double at the European Championships by adding the 5000m to his 10,000m gold (Reuters)

Farah roared home in the 10,000m on Tuesday in emphatic fashion and despite doubts over whether his legs could stand the heat of the 5000m, he was equally dominant over the shorter distance.

The Somalian-born Brit kicked away from rivals Jesus Espana, the defending champion from Spain, and Hayle Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan, and streak home by a distance.

It completes a remarkable 12 months for Farah who twice collapsed with exhaustion during the cross-country season this winter, and the 27-year-old sunk to the floor in disbelief in his accomplishment.

It's also sweet revenge for Farah, who was forced to settle for silver four years ago in Gothenburg, as Espana took gold.

"It's really hard to put into words how I feel. It really wasn't easy. I had to work really hard and dig deep for that," said Farah.

"After the 10,000m I was hurting in the last few laps but I saw him [Espana] coming on the big screen and just told myself that I couldn't let him past.

"I knew I had to try and save something for a big finish and I was working so hard - I couldn't believe that I had finished first again as I crossed the line.

"I knew I had it in me and I knew I was capable of it. I just kept pushing and pushing and it paid off in the end."

Meanwhile, fellow Brit Chris Thompson, who took silver behind Farah over 10,000m, ran out of steam and came home in eighth place in 13:44.42.