Mo Farah survives scare to reach 5,000m final at Rio Games

Mo Farah survived another scare as he finished third to qualify for the 5,000m final at the Rio Olympics.

Defending champion Mo Farah and fellow Briton Andrew Butchart both reached the Olympic men’s 5,000m final in Rio.

Farah, 33, has won the past four global titles over 5,000m and is looking to claim a second gold in Rio after winning the 10,000m.

He had to recover from a fall during his winning race on Saturday, and he was tripped again during the final lap of qualifying in heat one on Wednesday.

Farah stayed on his feet to finish in 13 minutes 25.25 seconds.

Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet won the heat in 13:24.65, with Albert Kibichii Rop of Bahrain in second.

Butchart finished fifth in heat two to make it through to Saturday’s final, crossing the line in 13:20.08.

Compatriot Tom Farrell failed to make the cut after finishing 20th.

Kenya will have no runners in the final, but Kenya-born American Bernard Lagat made the final at the age of 41.

Farah told the BBC: “I got clipped, had to stay on my feet and stay strong. It’s hot, hard work. You have to get through, see how it goes.

Asked about his recovery from the 10,000 metres, the 33-year-old said: “Not as well as I wanted, but I have to have more rest now, put my feet up, chill in my room.”