• Diamond League

Gay storms to win as Semenya struggles in Brussels

Caster Semenya finished third in the 800m © Getty Images

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Tyson Gay fell agonisingly short in his bid to run a personal best over 100 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels.

The American crossed the line in first with a time of 9.79 seconds - quicker than anything Usain Bolt or Asafa Powell have run this year - despite trailing Nesta Carter until the final 20 metres.

Gay's time was 0.1 seconds slower than his career-best time, set in September 2009, but it was enough to take him to the Diamond League title over 100m.

Controversial South African Caster Semenya finished the 800m in third place on her return to elite running. The 19-year-old, making her Diamond League debut, was at the back of the field after 300m before producing a late burst that steered her into third, with Janeth Jepkosgei winning in 1:58.82.

It was a curious showing from Semenya, who returned to athletics in July after an 11-month absence following a gender investigation, as she seemed to leave her final push until too late in the race. She finished ahead of Jenny Meadows, who finished fifth, and ninth-placed Jemma Simpson.

"I'm fairly happy with the times I'm running but it's a little bit sad coming back when the season is finished," Semenya said. "I'm just concentrating on basic things and moving forward."

European champion Dai Greene proved his medal-winning potential ahead of the World Championships by finishing second to Bershawn Jackson in the 400m hurdles. Greene, who will compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in October, recorded an impressive time of 48.26 seconds. "I think that just reinforces what I did in Barcelona and reiterates that I can go sub-48," he said.

Marlon Devonish, who will run over 200m at the Commonwealths, stormed to the win in an all-European 100m, clocking 10.19 after leading from start to finish.

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