GB Take Relay Gold, As Farah & Bolt Bid Dramatic Farewell

By Sam Tonks

It was a night which was always going to be full of emotion. Two legendary careers, poetically ending at the same place at the same time, both intending to head out as champions. It was a night to savour, the finale for Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.

Bolt was the talking point, but the story is the astonishing gold medal run from Great Britain. The third fastest relay run of all time and world leading speed this year of 37.47, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake anchored the nation to a first world relay title.

“We knew we could do it, we worked so hard, it’s crazy to do it in London, “said Ujah.

“We’re world champions, I can’t believe it, to come here and run like we did it, we couldn’t do it without our team,” said Gemilli.

“We’ve been involved for many years, 2012 didn’t go our way but we win and lose as a team, today we won,” Talbot said.

“You can’t guarantee anything in this sport, I dipped, the feeling once we won was euphoria,” said Mitchell-Blake.

“I came in late, the team embraced and we’ve smashed it.”

CJ Ujah, Adam Gemilli, Danny Talbot and Mitchell-Blake stole the show as Bolt limped over the line in heartbreaking fashion. Pulling up on the home straight as the rest ran away, it was the end that such a ground-breaking career didn’t deserve

Earlier in the night, another British athlete was centre stage. “Six world titles, four Olympic golds, multiple records broken indoors and outdoors, and that cheeky smile,” as Steve Cram so beautifully put, unfortunately there would not be one more for Mo.

He couldn’t achieve the ‘triple double’ as he left to much do in the home straight despite the thunderous roar from the crowd, he powered back to silver. Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris finally was victorious over the Brit and American Paul Chelimo who took bronze.

Farah embraced a lap of appreciation in a Stadium which he has left some unforgettable memories for.

“This crowds amazing, there’s no place like home, this is special and something I won’t forget,” said Farah.

“I was trying to cover every move but they had a game-plan, the best man won and I had nothing left.

“It’s been a long journey but an incredible one, once I crossed the line I realised that was it.”

As one of the greatest in the history of British sport, it’s hard to recall he didn’t even make the 5,000m final in 2008.

“I remember I was so disappointed, I had to make changes and move the other side of the world, but I’ve given it 110%,” he said.

“I’ll take a break, I have the road, but this chapter is closed.”