Farah On Course For Olympics

Mo Farah was delighted with his form after running the fastest 5,000 metres in the world this year in his first major race of the Olympic summer.

The world champion won the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene ahead of a strong field, crossing the line in 12 minutes 56.98 seconds, the second fastest he has ever run over the distance and less than four seconds off his British record .

The 29-year-old left Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele trailing in his wake at the Diamond League meeting in Oregon at the weekend, the Olympic champion and world record holder for the 5,000 and 10,000m finishing fourth.

“I take a lot from this race,” Farah, who has now won his opening four races of the season, said.

“If you look at the field it was really loaded. The most important thing is to win in a class field like that. The second is to run a fast time. I am really happy with the result.

“I’m winning races. I don’t want to overcook it. (Coach) Alberto (Salazar) is the boss. He tells us what to do. He’s been there himself before so he understands what an athlete has to do.”

Shara Proctor insisted there was more to come after beating the reigning Olympic and world champions to win the long jump in a new outdoor personal best of 6.84m.

“This is only my second meet of the season so I’m really happy with that performance,” said the Anguilla-born Briton. who moved up to fifth in the world rankings this season.

“Jumping like that against such a stacked field with world champion Brittney Reese and Olympic champion Maurren Higa Maggi makes it even more satisfying.

“I still feel like I’ve got a lot more to come though. Again, with that only being my second meet, I’m looking to go further this summer.”

sets 100%. So to put it all together in a race is a great feeling. I can move forward now, knowing that running near the front is much better for me. I have good speed so there is no reason to hold back at the beginning.”