Lagat, Rupp and Lomong off to London

REUTERS

Galen Rupp (right) beats Bernard Lagat to the finish line in the 5000m at the US Olympics trials.

Eugene, Oregon – Galen Rupp won his second title of the US Olympic Track and Field Trials, adding the 5,000 metres crown to his 10,000 triumph Thursday and shattering the meet record of legend Steve Prefontaine.

Two African-born runners, 2007 world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat and 2008 US Olympic flag bearer Lopez Lomong, are also set for London, where Rupp's training partner, 2011 world champion Mo Farah, awaits.

“I look at it as a great opportunity,” Rupp said. “We're both going (to London) to be up there for the medals. Afterwards, we're still going to be friends.”

Rupp outfought Lagat over the last 100 metres to win in 13mins 22.67secs, breaking the 40-year-old meet record of 13:22.80 set by the late Prefontaine, an icon in track-mad Eugene who died at age 24 in a 1975 car crash.

“In London, I'm going to have to beat people in the last 100 metres,” Rupp said. “If you can't do it here you won't be able to do it in London.”

Lagat, a native of Kenya who began competing as an American in 2007, was second in 13:22.82 with Lomong third in 13:24.47, holding off Andrew Bumbalough for the last Olympic berth.

Rupp will double in the 10,000 after winning that event on the opening night of the meet, which continues through Sunday. He became the first athlete in 60 years to double in the 5,000 and 10,000 at the US trials.

“I did both because I think I've got a shot in both,” Rupp said.

Farah, who won his second European title in a row on Wednesday, has this year's world-best time of 12:56.98 from a Diamond League victory at Eugene earlier this month. Rupp finished third in the same race.

“He's like a big brother mentoring me,” Rupp said. “He's just the most humble, quality, hardworking guy there is.”

Alberto Salazar, who coaches Rupp and Farah, warned that Rupp will be more dangerous when he is in top shape.

“He wasn't really rested this week,” Salazar said. “When he's in shape he can run a lot faster. But you have got to make the team first.”

Lagat, who won 2000 Olympic bronze and 2004 Olympic silver in the 1,500, took the 2007 1,500 and 5,000 world titles and was a 5,000 runner-up at the past two world championships. But he hungers for the gold he has never claimed.

“This will be my fourth Olympics. I've won two medals. All that's missing is gold,” Lagat said. “It matters a lot. It's what's missing for me. It doesn't matter what kind of race it will be, I'll be ready.”

Lomong, who escaped a militia as a boy in Sudan by running through the wilderness for three days, became a US Olympian four years ago at 1,500m.

“I'm going out there with USA on my chest to bring the world down,” Lomong said.

Sanya Richards-Ross, trying for a 200-400 Olympic double, and Carmelita Jeter and Tianna Madison, hoping for a 100-200 double in London, qualified comfortably for Friday's semi-finals.

“It was good,” Richards-Ross said. “The first round is always the toughest. You want to stay controled but you also want to go for it.”

Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh, still deadlocked for third and the last Olympic spot at 100m, advanced as well but made no comment about the dispute, which will not be settled until after Sunday's 200 final.

Brad Walker, the 2007 world champion, won the men's pole vault title by clearing 5.67m while Derek Miles, fourth at the 2008 Olympics, reached London by finishing fourth at 5.60.

Miles made the US team only after Scott Roth failed on three tries at the Olympic standard of 5.72.

Reigning 400m hurdles Olympic champion Angelo Taylor, who also won Olympic gold in 2000, was second among 16 semi-final qualifiers by winning his heat in 49.53, .16 behind former world champion Kerron Clement.

“I wanted to go out and make a statement,” Taylor said. “This is the best I have been prepared for this event since 2000. I feel really good.”

Clement was relaxed after his run as well, saying, “I feel great. I just wanted to run a good time.”

Reigning world champion Christian Taylor led 12 men's triple jump finalists with a leap of 17.27m in the same pit where he jumped a 2012 world-best 17.62 to win a Diamond League meet earlier this month.

“I'm out here trying to make a statement to the guys I'm competing with here and on the world stage,” Taylor said. “I'm ready. I'm healthy and running fast. I'm ready to go.”

Reigning women's world 400m hurdles champion Lashinda Demus led 16 runners into the semi-finals with a run of 55.29.

“I felt great,” she said. “It's all about being as fresh as you can for the final.” – Sapa-AFP