Photo by: Getty Images
Mohammed Ahmed: Olympic Silver Medalist
August 06, 2021 | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field
Former Badger finishes second in 5,000 meters
TOKYO -- Using a strong kick over the last 120 meters of the race, former Badger Mohammed Ahmed claimed a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday. The St. Catherine's, Ontario, native earned his first Olympic medal, crossing the line in 12 minutes, 58.61 seconds. Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei won the gold in 12:58.15 while Paul Chelimo from the U.S. earned the bronze in 12:59.05.
Â
Ahmed ran in the middle of the pack for the first 3,000 meters. With four laps to go, he was among the top-six runners while only 10 athletes remained in the lead pack with three laps remaining. At the bell lap, the contending field was down to six athletes with Ahmed in sixth place. With half a lap remaining, Ahmed was in fifth place, moving up on the inside and passing three runners to earn the silver medal.
A 2014 graduate of Wisconsin, Ahmed was an 11-time All-American and five-time Big Ten champion for the Badgers in track and cross country. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon, training under former UW assistant coach Jerry Schumacher at the Bowerman Track Club.
Â
Post medal feels 🥺@Moh_Speed wins his first Olympic medal 🥈 pic.twitter.com/QCCE1iGM0P
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) August 6, 2021
Ahmed ran in the middle of the pack for the first 3,000 meters. With four laps to go, he was among the top-six runners while only 10 athletes remained in the lead pack with three laps remaining. At the bell lap, the contending field was down to six athletes with Ahmed in sixth place. With half a lap remaining, Ahmed was in fifth place, moving up on the inside and passing three runners to earn the silver medal.
A three-time Olympian, Ahmed competed in the 2012 Olympics in London, finishing 18th in the 10,000 meters. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he placed fourth in the 5,000 meters and 32nd in the 10,000 meters. In addition to his silver medal in the 5,000 meters this year, Ahmed also finished sixth in the 10,000 meters on July 30.. @Moh_Speed used a strong kick over the last 100m to move up from 4th to 🥈 in the 5k. He ran 12:58.61 pic.twitter.com/bBnAY4aaYb
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) August 6, 2021
A 2014 graduate of Wisconsin, Ahmed was an 11-time All-American and five-time Big Ten champion for the Badgers in track and cross country. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon, training under former UW assistant coach Jerry Schumacher at the Bowerman Track Club.
Mick Byrne Weekly Press Conference || Wisconsin Cross Country || November 18, 2024
Monday, November 18
Mick Byrne Weekly Press Conference || Wisconsin Cross Country || November 11, 2024
Monday, November 11
Mick Byrne Media Conference || Wisconsin Cross Country || Nov. 13, 2023
Monday, November 13
Mick Byrne Media Conference || Wisconsin Cross Country || Oct. 23, 2023
Monday, October 23
