5000m

Ethiopia's Million Walde took gold in the absence of Haile Gebrselassie, who decided not to double up. The world junior 5000m champion, stayed on the shoulder of favourite Ali Saidi-Sief until the final bend before sprinting home in 13.35:49.

Moroccan Brahim Lahlaf took bronze in a messy race that was far slower than many predicted. This should have played into the hands of 1500m man Saidi-Sief, but when Walde made his move the Algerian had nothing in the tank.

Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan went close to winning gold, shattering her own Irish record by 0.23 seconds after making a bold sprint for home 250m from home.

However, Gabriela Szabo of Romania overhauled her in a thrilling duel down the home straight. Szabo won in 14:40.79 seconds, slashing 19 seconds off the Games record set by Wang Junxia of China in Atlanta in 1996.

O'Sullivan finished in 14:41.02 with Ethiopia's Geta Wami third in 14:42.23. Britain's Jo Pavey, having missed two years of racing through injury, put in a superb performance to break her personal best for the distance for the second time in the Games to finish 12th.