Former Shorter University runner wins silver in men's 5000m

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Former Shorter Universtiy runner Paul Chelimo stretches to catch Great Britain's Mo Farah at the end of the 5000m. Chelimo would go on to claim the silver medal in the event. YOUTUBE Former Shorter University runner Paul Chelimo stretches to catch Great Britain's Mo Farah at the end of the 5000m. Chelimo would go on to claim the silver medal in the event. NBC SPORTS/YouTube

RIO DE JANERIO — Paul Chelimo, a former distance runner for Shorter University, pushed Great Britain's Mo Farah in the final stretch of the men's 5000m Saturday to earn a silver at the Rio Olympics.

Chelimo's celebration turned to anger, however, when officials disqualified him for stepping out of bounds. An hour later, following Chelimo's appeal, the decision was reversed after being determined he had been pushed out of bounds.

Chelimo congratulates Farah on the gold medal win. NBC SPORTS/YouTube Chelimo congratulates Farah on the gold medal win. NBC SPORTS/YouTube

Chelimo spent one year as a Shorter Hawk. In 2010-11 as a freshman, he helped the men's team to both indoor and outdoor championships. Indoors, that effort included an individual 3000m championship for himself and another as part of the winning distance medley team. In the outdoor competition he won both the 5000m and 10,000m races.

Moving on to UNC Greensboro, Chelimo placed second at the 5000m NCAA DI outdoor championships in both 2012 and 2013.

Chelimo finished third at the Olympic trials behind Bernard Lagat and Hassan Mead. Lagat and Hassan completed Saturday's race in 5th and 11th place, respectively.

athletics, Olympics, Rio 2016, running, Shorter University