Farah guns for gold, Semenya eyes 800m defence

DAEGU, South Korea (AFP) - Mo Farah will bid to put his disappointment in the 10,000m behind him when he takes to the track for the 5000m final on the ninth and final day of the world championships on Sunday.

The Briton could only manage silver in the longer event but is one of the clear favourites over 5000m.

"I will give it 110 percent and hope to deliver a good performance to make Britain proud," Farah said in a blog for British broadcaster itv.com.

Referring to the 10,000m, Farah, who moved with his family to Britain from Somalia when he was eight years old, said: "It was not the colour of medal I was hoping for and in all honesty I felt very disappointed with missing out on the gold.

"It is of course still a good achievement for me, considering I have never competed in the 10,000m in a world championship before and wasn't even ranked in the world's top ten last year. However, it would have been amazing to finish on top of the world at the 10,000m this year."

Farah's British teammate Phillips Idowu could make it double gold for next year's Olympic hosts when he defends his triple jump title.

Caster Semenya, looking to put controversy over her true gender behind her, will also be on the track in her bid to retain her 800m crown after cruising through her heat and semi-final.

The 20-year-old South African will face tough opposition from Russia's reigning world indoor and European champion Mariya Savinova and Kenya's 2007 world champion Janeth Jepkosgei.

Kenya's men will bid to emulate their female teammates in the morning marathon.

Edna Kiplagat led a medals cleansweep in the women's marathon and the men's team of Abel Kirui, Eliud Kiptanui, Vincent Kipruto, Kiptoo Kolum and David Tumo will be seeking to do the same on the circuit around the streets of downtown Daegu.

Another healthy medal showing will further confirm Kenyan men and women's top billing as distance running kings and queens.

The evening's session ends with the finals of the men and women's 4x100m relay events.

Usain Bolt and his Jamaican teammates will be strong favourites for the men's relay.

The United States will look to reverse their fortunes after a disqualification in the Berlin worlds for the men, while the women failed to finish their heat after third-leg runner Muna Lee pulled up injured.