What Kipsiro's rivals are saving

Aug 09, 2012

Bernard Lagat of the US has predicted a crazy final 2000m in the final of the 5000m on Saturday. " I can see the last 2000m going crazy, Mo Farah ( the 10,000m Olympic champion) will go crazy."

Compiled by Louis Jadwong

Bernard Lagat of the US has predicted a crazy final 2000m in the final of the 5000m on Saturday. " I can see the last 2000m going crazy, Mo Farah ( the 10,000m Olympic champion) will go crazy."

Lagat finished fourth, one of six athletes that edged Moses Kipsiro of Uganda in heat 2 of the men's 5000m at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

"I ran relaxed and ran with the leaders and knew I was safe (to qualify). I was quite happy with it."

"This is the best position I could ever be in, I can relax, be with my kids and prepare for any situation (in the final)."

On being inspired by teammate Galen Rupp, who took the silver medal in the 10,000m on Saturday evening and how expects the final to go:

"It's great that Galen is inspiring us. We now believe we can be superior as well."

Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) and Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH)

Gebrhiwet on the race:

"It was a good race. I was feeling an achilles pain on my right leg, and I was struggling to change my pace because of that. The pain started 10 days before I came to London. I was practicing light training since then to avoid any kind of serious injury. I will rest today and hopefully I will recover soon before the final."

Gebremeskel 

On the Ethiopian tactics for the final:

"We have to make it a fast race from the beginning to reduce the number of challengers. That was the problem in the 10,000m, it was a very slow race and it gave everyone a chance of winning a medal."

 On whether he can break an Olympic record in the final:

"I am in good form, but my target is winning the gold medal. I am the fastest 5000m runner of the season, but the Olympic Games is different."

Galen Rupp of the US

On the race:

"I wanted to make sure I got out early. I don't feel too bad. I'm a little tired and it's a morning race."

 On the final:

"The great thing about our (training) team is they prepare you for any scenario."

Bernard Lagat (USA)

 On the race:

"I concentrated on just one event, I went a bit faster to get the time. I opened my legs up, it was important to qualify. My coach said to me: 'Make sure you just qualify, no need to win'. It was a test of tactics, that I will examine with my coach, James LEE (USA). On the home straight I slowed down a little bit. I just wanted to get in."

 On preparation for the next race:

"I am going to rest now and make sure I am ready for the next race. I will have a nice bath, a massage and eat well."

 Mo Farah (GBR) 

 On the race:

"I just kept tripping up, they kept catching me. It was pretty difficult, pretty hard. The 10k took more out of me than I thought. I've got a couple of days to recover."

 "There was lots of pushing and shoving, but that's what happens in the heat. The final will settle down. I will respect everybody and forget what has happened."

 "My body was a bit tired and I was not as fresh for the 5k as some of the other runners."

 On the final:

"I'm going to give 110% depending on what my legs allow me."

 On winning the 10,000m on Saturday:

"It wasn't the easiest 10k, but I have a great medical team. It's something I've dreamed of. It's nice to get it right in my home country. Absolutely amazing, it just paid off."

 "Obviously getting gold in the 10k gave me a lot of confidence. They kept telling me I was the Olympic champion and I was the best."

 On the crowd:

"The crowd were amazing, people shouting your name."

Hayle Ibrahimov(AZE),  

On winning his heat:

"The race was good. The athletes here are very strong, this is a big competition. The last lap was very fast. This is the first time for me at the Olympics, I am very happy, but this is a semifinal, for the final you need an extra gear, the competition will be tough with Mo Farah(GBR). I want a medal, God will decide which one."

 Collis Birmingham (AUS)

 On failing to qualify in his heat:

"It was far too slow for how I would have liked it. Pretty disapponted to be honest, certainly not a happy moment. It was short, but certainly it wasn't sweet, but it's a great experience." 

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