Mo Farah could only manage silver in his final 5000m race at the World Championships.

Even if the 34-year-old was denied a fairytale ending to his glittering career, it takes nothing away from his previous achievements.

To win two medals in his last competitive outings, particularly in London, must have been special for the legendary athlete.

In the immediate aftermath, he looked bitterly disappointed, though he later admitted that Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris was the better man on the night.

And in hindsight, he'll no doubt be delighted with silver given that he was boxed in on the final bend and looked as if he might miss out on the medals altogether.

Whatever happened this summer, Farah was going to end his career as a national treasure.

However, the last couple of years haven't been plain sailing.

Farah's associations with coach Alberto Salazar, who is being investigated by the US anti-doping agency, led some sections of the media to question his integrity, and it's clearly still a sore point.

In Sunday's press conference, he embarked on an emotional defence of himself and his camp.

"It's like I have achieved what I have achieved and you are trying to destroy it," he said, per Sky News.

"You guys, so many times towards me, you have been unfair. I don't know why.

"Over the years you guys have done many things to build a person up and then bring them back down and the reality is... I'm going to still keep working, keep fighting and making my country proud.

"You can write what you like, I'm a clean athlete and as long as I understand that I sleep well at night."

Sir Mo has not yet confirmed whether he'll use Salazar in road races now that he's officially retired from the track.

Regardless, the controversy has obviously got to him, even if it hasn't affected his reputation with the majority of fans.

rss - Mo Farah hit out at the media after his last 5000m race