only three athletes have won multiple titles in the event. lasse virén became the first with his back-to-back wins in 1972 and 1976, while meseret defar became the first woman to win two titles in 2012, having previously won in 2004. mo farah became the third person with multiple titles, and the second with back-to-back wins, in 2012 and 2016. three athletes have reached the podium on three occasions: defar was also the 2008 bronze medallist, tirunesh dibaba won medals from 2004–2012, and paavo nurmi won medals in the period from 1920–1928. historically, athletes in this event have also had success in the 10,000 metres at the olympics. the winner of the men's olympic 5000 m has completed a long-distance track double on nine occasions, the most recent being farah at the 2016 rio olympics. tirunesh dibaba is the only woman to complete this double, having done so at the 2008 beijing olympics.