Proud Stewy signs off from Olympics

UPDATE - Proud King Islander Stewart McSweyn finished 18th in last night's 5,000 metre final, signing off from his second Olympics campaign.

In a relatively slow race, the large field of 22 runners stayed bunched together until the final few laps when the leaders finally broke away, with Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen storming to victory in a time of 13:13.66.

McSweyn finished with a group of other runners in the time of 13:31.

The Paris games were McSweyn's second Olympics. When he was selected for the team earlier this year McSweyn said that he was "honoured" to have been named - "there is no greater privilege than wearing the Australian colours on the biggest stage", he said.

EARLIER -  MCSWEYN THRU TO FINALS!!! McSweyn wins appeal in his Olympic result in Paris due to being caught up in the 5000m fall drama — and the jury ruled in his favour, ensuring he will contest the final early on Sunday morning AEST.

EARLIER: McSweyn finished 12th in a field of over 20 in his 5,000 metre heat.

In an exciting race, McSweyn was just off the pace for most of the race before making a run for the front with three laps to go.

For a brief moment rounding the final corner it looked like McSweyn could do a "Bradbury" as four athletes ahead and around him went down in a tangle of bodies. However, dodging and jumping just to stay on his own feet McSweyn lost speed and momentum, and was unable to chase down the leaders. 

The first eight place-getters progressed through to the final on Saturday.

EARLIER: Star King Island Olympic athlete Stewart McSweyn will race in his all important 5,000 metre heat tonight at the Paris Olympic Games.

This follows his disappointing result in the 1,500 metre event earlier in the week where he was unable to take advantage of the new repechage round in the Men’s 1500m, and was eliminated.

McSweyn took the lead with three laps to run in his repechage event, tried to stretch out the field, but was unable to maintain his position, ultimately finishing 12th.

Running commentators have asked questions this week as to whether McSweyn is injured, but there has not been any official statement to that effect.

Stewart's 5,000 metre heat is on at 7:10 pm tonight.