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Mo Farah celebrates at the Diamond League.
Impressive

'The greatest of this era' - Mo Farah displays Olympic credentials with London victory

It was an impressive outing for the British athlete at the Diamond League.

MO FARAH WARMED up for the Rio Olympics in stunning fashion on Saturday as he clinched a convincing triumph in the 5,000 metres at the Diamond League in London.

Four years on from his victory at London 2012, Farah romped home in front of a delighted crowd at the Olympic Stadium, recording a world-lead time of 12:59.29.

He crossed the line over 15 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger and compatriot Andrew Butchart, with Farah seemingly in fine form as he heads to Rio aiming to defend both his 5,000 and 10,000m titles.

Another Olympic gold medal favourite, Dafne Schippers, was victorious in similarly impressive fashion in the 200m.

The Dutchwoman, strongly fancied for success in that event in Rio, displayed exactly why that is the case as she finished in 22.13 seconds, 0.5secs ahead of second-placed Tiffany Townsend, who recorded a season’s best.

Fast Misha / YouTube

In the other track finals to take place on Saturday, Olympic champion Habiba Ghribi took glory in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase and Kerron Clement was the winner of the men’s 400m hurdles.

World champion Joe Kovacs prevailed in the shot put with a throw of 22.04m, while Sandra Perkovic — Olympic discus champion — won her event, her second throw measuring 69.94m.

Meanwhile, Katerina Stefanidi’s effort of 4.80m was enough to take victory in the women’s pole vault, and China’s Gao Xinglong was victorious in the men’s long jump thanks to his first-round 8.11m.

Meet Ireland’s Olympic team: Brendan Boyce>

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