Mo Farah secures historic triple-double with 5,000m triumph in Beijing

The 32-year-old Farah secured his second gold of the World Athletics Championships having already triumphed in the 10,000m – the first time back-to-back doubles has been achieved.

Farah also claimed the double at the 2012 Olympics, with Saturday’s victory earning him a triple-double and marking out a stunning period of dominance in his dual disciplines.

It was a slow race which suited Farah nicely and he was second heading into the final lap.

He overtook Caleb Ndiku of Kenya on the home straight and crossed the line for a time of 13:50.38. Ndiku took silver and bronze went to Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet.

Farah has suffered a difficult season after his coach Alberto Salazar was embroiled in a doping scandal – although there is no suggestion whatsoever that the athlete has any involvement and Salazar denies the allegations.

But Farah finishes the IAAF World Championships on a huge high, winning his seventh successive global title.

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe told the BBC:

After being called the greatest British sportsman by BBC commentator Brendan Foster, Farah replied: "We had people such as David Beckham and the rest of the guys, we have had so many legends and to be in the same category as them is amazing. If you believe in something you can get there. Do what you can. I never doubt myself. I love the sport, I love what I do and I just want to continue that. Everything comes with obstacles and you just have to get them out of the way."