The men’s 5000 metres offered the host country it’s first victory of the day with Alberto Garcia ending what has been a faultless championships year.
After winning the European Indoor Championships in Vienna and the European Championships in Munich, 31-year old Garcia secured victory in the last 200 metres of the race.
Garcia’s final kick was devastating and no-one seemed to be able to counterattack. The Spaniard clocked 13:30.04 and had the pleasure of receiving the stands’ massive applause. Kenya’s Paul Kosgei was second in an event the Africans hadn’t lost since 1985.
France’s Ismail Sghyr running for France was third in 13:32.82 ahead of USA’s Mebrahtom Keflezighi in 13:33.44.
It was Oceania’s Michael Power who set the pace at the beginning of this 12.5 lap race and went through the first kilometre in 2:39.95. From then on USA’s Keflezighi led the compact pack through the second kilometre in 5:23.48 and the third kilometre in 8:10.18.
