Athletics: Bernard Lagat backs Mo Farah

BERNARD Lagat believes Mo Farah can perform “exceptionally” at the London Olympics – if he can be left alone.

Lagat has witnessed at close quarters just how good Farah has become, finishing second to the Briton over 5,000 metres at the World Championships in Daegu last year, where Farah also took silver in the 10,000m.

And after also finishing second to Farah’s close friend and training partner Galen Rupp in the recent US Olympic trials, Lagat knows Farah is in the sort of shape to again challenge for gold medals over both distances at his home Games.

“Mo is training well, I could sense from Galen how easily his speed has come along,” said Lagat – who will compete in the mile at the London Grand Prix next week. “Mo is a great medal contender in the 10k and 5k. Nobody would have thought he had so much more talent, but it takes an athlete to work out what works well for him.

“The only thing he has to be careful of is the pressure. If he can be left alone I think he will perform exceptionally in the Olympics.”