Originally published September 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 3, 2007 at 2:05 AM

Track and Field | Lagat completes difficult double

American Bernard Lagat, a former Washington State standout, completed an unprecedented double Sunday at the world championships. Lagat took the 5,000...

By RAF CASERT

The Associated Press

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MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES

Bernard Lagat (1113), a former Washington State standout, takes the 5,000-meter world title Sunday in Osaka, Japan.

OSAKA, Japan — American Bernard Lagat, a former Washington State standout, completed an unprecedented double Sunday at the world championships.

Lagat took the 5,000 meters in 13 minutes, 45.87 seconds and became the first man to win the 1,500 and 5,000 at the same world meet.

Finland's Paavo Nurmi and Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj had achieved a similar double, but they did it at the Olympics — Nurmi in 1924 and El Guerrouj in 2004.

Lagat, who was born in Kenya and lives in Tucson, Ariz., had to qualify for the 5,000 final one day after winning his 1,500 gold Wednesday, but nothing could stop him from becoming the first American to medal in the 5,000.

"This double means a lot to me," said the 32-year-old Lagat, a friend of El Guerrouj. "I wanted to do the same because he inspired me."

U.S. teammate Allyson Felix won her third gold medal, joining Marita Koch as the only women to triple at the same world meet.

Koch, from the former East Germany, accomplished the feat in 1983.

Felix previously triumphed in the 400 relay and the 200. In Sunday's 1,600 relay, she combined with DeeDee Trotter, Mary Wineberg and Sanya Richards for a time of 3:18.55.

When Jeremy Wariner brought the baton home in the men's 1,600 relay, he capped an excellent meet for the U.S. team.

The United States finished with 14 gold medals, tying its world-championships record set two years ago, and matched the American all-time medal record at a world outdoor championships with 26. It was the first time in world-championship history the same country swept the four relay events.

Looking ahead to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Felix said, "We have a great feeling going into next year. Just the showing tonight. To sweep the relays, everyone is extremely excited."

Hopes for a doping-free championships were dashed Sunday when IAAF officials announced there had been one "suspicious" test that needed further investigation. No details were provided.

If there was one constant at the meet, it was the weather. Much like the first day, numerous athletes continued to complain about the temperatures of 85 degrees and higher.

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