Lomong Finishes 10th in 5K Final in London
/ August 11, 2012
LONDON - Lopez Lomong led early and challenged with 500 meters left but was unable to close on the final lap, finishing 10th in the final of the 5,000 meters in London Saturday night.
"I wasn't disappointed at all," said Lomong after the race. "I put everything I had into it. I am so excited to be here and represent America and of course the fans back home. They have been cheering me on."
Lomong finished with a time of 13:48.19 in the slowest final since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Great Britain's Mo Farah claimed the gold medal in 13:41.66, becoming the first man to complete the sweep of the distance events since 1980.
Lomong ran in the back of the pack early in the race before moving up front to take the lead at the 2,000-meter mark. He ran up front for several laps before slipping back to the middle of the pack. He charged towards the front with USA teammate Galen Rupp around the final turn on the second to last lap but was unable to keep the pace during the final lap sprint.
Lomong was attempting to become the second former Lumberjack to claim a medal in the Olympics with Angela Chalmers, who won a bronze at the 1992 Games for Canada.
American Bernard Lagat, who was running in his fourth Olympics, placed fourth at 13:42.99. Oregon's Galen Rupp, runner-up to his training partner Farah in the 10,000, was seventh at 13:45.04.
Former Southern Utah standout Cam Levins (13:51.87) finished 14th for Canada.
Men's 5000m Final Results
