Cragg off the pace in historic final

Ireland’s Alistair Cragg had to settle for 12th place in tonight’s thrilling 5,000metres final in Athens.

The 24-year-old recorded a time of 13 minutes 43.06 seconds – almost half a minute behind winner Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco who completed a golden double after winning the 1,500m earlier in the Games.

That made him the first man since Paavo Nurmi in 1924 to win the 1,500m and 5,000m at the same Games.

Meanwhile, Robin Seymour finished the men’s cross country mountain biking competition in 30th place earlier today.

The 33-year-old from Dublin completed seven laps in a time of two hours, 28 minutes and 32 seconds.

France’s Julien Absalon clinched the gold medal, with Jose Armida of Spain second and Dutchman Bart Brentjens third.

Star sailing class duo Mark Mansfield and Killian Collins finished 15th in the 11th and final race of the competition.

The pair struggled to make an impact and they finished last overall in the 17-team series.