'World class' Mo Farah takes European 10k record apart

Mo Farah's new European 10,000 metres record was today described as "truly world class" by the UK's athletics chief.

Farah smashed the record in the Prefontaine Classic at the Eugene Diamond League meeting in Oregon on Saturday.

The Londoner's time of 26 minutes 46.57 seconds broke Belgian Mohammed Mourhit's European benchmark of 26:52.30 set in 1999, while also eclipsing Jon Brown's 13-year-old British record of 27:18.14.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said: "That was a truly world class performance from Mo beating a very strong field.

"I am delighted for him. Not only did he destroy both the British and European records, he stood out in a global quality race and beat some of the world's top athletes.

"That is a positive indication as we move towards the World Championships and London 2012."

Farah's career-best display saw him finish just ahead of Ethiopia's Imane Merga, who clocked 26:48.35, his own personal best.

Speaking after the race, Farah said: "I just sat at the back and worked my way through the field.

"If it wasn't for the crowd I would never have done this. With three laps to go I knew I had the chance for the record."

Looking ahead to the world championships in Daegu starting in August, he added: "I want a world medal and it's shown here if I keep working hard I'll be in the mix."

l Tyson Gay ran the quickest 100 metres of the year at the Star Athletics Last Chance meeting in Clermont, Florida on Saturday. The American cruised home in 9.79 seconds.

The next best time in 2011 was achieved just hours later by unheralded Jamaican Steve Mullings, who ran 9.80secs in the Diamond League event in Oregon, where Justin Gatlin, returning from a drug ban, finished sixth in a time of 9.97.