Farah keen to make amends.

Byline: JAMES TONEY 

MO Farah is determined to avenge his Olympic nightmare in Berlin's Olympiastadion tonight.

Somalian-born Farah, 26, has long been tipped to break east Africa's stranglehold on distance running events - and even trains with the all-conquering Kenyan team.

But last year he wilted in Beijing's heat and didn't even make the final - a mistake he is determined to learn from in this evening's 5,000m.

"This year I feel like I have really improved and really started to run some good times because of all the work I have been doing with the Kenyans," said Farah, who finished sixth in Osaka two years ago. "After Beijing my first goal was to reach the final here.

"Osaka's done and dusted - it was good to finish sixth but I want to be among the medals."

Sorry However, British distance running remains in a sorry state, hampered by high-profile injuries and a lack of depth.

In the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon, Farah is the only British entry here in Berlin.

UK Athletics have formed an advisory group to study the problem, fronted by head endurance coach and former Olympic medallist Ian Stewart.

It includes former world record holders like Seb Coe, Paula Radcliffe, Liz McColgan, Steve Cram and Brendan Foster.

However, it has yet to hold a meeting with all its members, according to former world champion McColgan.

"I don't see how you can volunteer for a committee like this and then not be committed," she said. "If you're not there to hear what other people are saying, then you really can't know what's happening. Brendan and Steve have never attended a meeting I've been at."

Stewart admits he's been stung by criticism from both Foster and Cram - members of the BBC commentary team in Berlin.

"If they want to slag me off, that's fine by me," he said. "But we can turn things round if we work together."