OLYMPICS: Cheptegei rues missed medal opportunity

Men's 10000 final 

M. Farah (G. Britain) 27:05.18

P. Tanui (Kenya) 27:05.64

T. Tola (Ethiopia) 27:06.26

Demelash (Ethiopia) 27:06.27

Galen Rupp (USA) 27:08.92

Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) 27:10.06 

Joshua Cheptegei believes he was headed for an Olympic medal if a mid-race accident hadn't hampered him.

"I had to suddenly jump high to avoid crashing into Mo Farah and in the process hurt my hip," said Cheptegei of the men's 10000m Olympic final where he finished sixth.

"My target was a podium finish and I believe that was very possible until that moment," said Cheptegei.

Farah fell with roughly 16 laps to go after being tripped by American training partner Galen Rupp.

But while Cheptegei battled with his injuries, Farah recovered to win one of the most dramatic 10000m in 27:05.64.

Cheptegei was close to Rupp's heels when this happened in Rio de Janeiro's Olympic stadium, Saturday night. 

The world junior champion nevertheless saluted the Somali born Briton.  "He was the better athlete and deserved to win."

Farah became the first British track and field athlete to win three Olympic golds as he came home in a time of 27:05.18.

Cheptegei finished the 25 lap race in 27:10.06. He immediately warned that he would be back to challenge Farah in the 5000m starting Wednesday.

"I should have fully recovered by then. I have not relented on my promise to get a medal at these games," vowed Cheptegei.

Mo Farah celebrates his win. Photos by Norman Katende

Uganda's other runners Moses Kurong (28:03.38) and Timothy Toroitich (28:04.84) were 22 and 23 respectively. There 34 entrants with two not finishing.

Meanwhile Uganda's only representative in the women's steeplechase Peruth Chemutai failed to advance to today's final from Saturday's first round.