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Despite fall, Farah advances to 3000m Euro Champs

Posted March 2nd, 2007 at 7:51 AM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

One of Britain’s top medal hopes at these 29th European Indoor Championships, Mo Farah, survived a big scare today when he was tripped and fell during the first heat of the 3000m.

Farah, the reigning European cross country champion, was accidentally tripped from behind by Austria’s Günther Weidlinger in the seventh lap of the 15-lap race. Tumbling hard to the track, Farah became disoriented and actually began to run in the opposite direction after getting up, before turning around to rejoin the race.

“This guy clipped my leg and I went down,” said Farah after the race. “When I went down the Spanish guy (European 5000m champion Jesus España) picked up the pace.” He added: “I don’t know what happened, personally.”

España won the heat in 7:52.50, with Weidlinger second in 7:53.04 and defending champion Alistair Cragg of Ireland in third in 7:53.18. Farah, lifted by the cheers of the British crowd in the National Indoor Arena, fought his way back to finish sixth in 7:55.36, getting the second of four time qualifiers (the first four in each heat advanced automatically). He was relieved to advance to tomorrow’s final, but his come-from-behind effort today had taken its toll, physically.

“I believe that anything can happen,” said Farah of tomorrow’s final. “But it won’t be easy.”

Showing commendable sportsmanship, Weidlinger apologized to Farah in the mixed zone after the race in front of the British press. Waiting patiently for Farah to first answer a reporter’s question, the multiple Austrian record holder said softly, “I’m sorry. I stepped on your shoe. I’m very, very sorry.” He also said that he hoped the two athletes could remain friends.

Farah accepted Weidlinger’s apology, and it was clear that there were no hard feelings, just disappointment after a long winter of training in South Africa.

“It’s athletics,” said Farah with resignation.

Halil Akkas of Turkey won the second –and thankfully for Farah– slower heat in 7:54.72, followed by Italy’s Cosimo Caliandro in 7:54.82 and France’s Bob Tahri in 7:55.04. Amongst the medal contenders, everyone advanced except for Spain’s Alberto García, who has two world indoor and two European indoor championship medals. He finished sixth in the second heat in 8:02-flat.

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Opening day qualifying continues in the middle distances this afternoon with the 800m heats for men and women the 1500m heats for women.