Farah does the double

On a sparkling final night of athletics, Matthew Centrowitz won a shock 1,500m gold for the United States, their first in the event since 1908. 

The nation also won both 4x400m relays to stretch their winning margin in the track and field medal count. 

Caster Semenya cruised to victory in the women’s 800m, Germany’s Thomas Roehler won the javelin and 37-year-old high jumper Ruth Beitia won Spain’s first Olympic gold in women’s athletics. 

The Rio athletics program closes with the men’s marathon on Sunday. With Usain Bolt finally moving aside after his triple-triple heroics had dominated the first nine days of action, Farah took center stage for his double-double to emulate Finland’s Lasse Viren (1972 and 1976).

Having also done the double twice at the world championships, Farah proved he is up there with the best endurance performers of all time. He never looked like being beaten on Saturday, winning gold with a consummate display of control and finishing power.

“To do it again is incredible,” said Farah. “I have that drive, it’s just me.”  

“I can’t quite believe it. I wished for just one medal as a junior. It has been a long journey but if you dream of something, have ambitions and are willing to work hard then you can get your dreams.” 

Centrowitz might have been dreaming of a minor medal but found himself in the box seat with a brilliant tactical run in the 1,500 and had too much finishing speed for defending champion Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria. 

“Doing my victory lap, I literally kept screaming to everyone I know, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Centrowitz said.