• Diamond League, Paris

Greene sets new PB despite defeat

Dai Greene came home in second © Getty Images

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• Profile: Tyson Gay | Dai Greene

Team GB gold medal hope Dai Greene ran a new personal best in the 400m hurdles at the Diamond League meeting in Paris - but was still beaten by Javier Culson.

Greene, the reigning world champion in the event, is one of the brightest prospects for a home gold medal at London 2012 - but has caused some concerns so far this season with injuries and setbacks preventing him from running fast times.

The Welshman put that right in Paris, however - getting within 0.02s of Kriss Akabusi's longstanding British record as he dipped across the line in 47.84 seconds. Puerto Rico's Culson, the man Greene fended off to win in Daegu last year, had just enough speed to beat him - but Greene was encouraged with the time nevertheless.

"Some people had started writing me off," Greene said. "I think I proved it tonight - you don't become a bad athlete overnight."

He later added on Twitter: "PB tonight. Feels good to be back in business, all coming together at the right time. Ready for the big one."

In the 100m, Tyson Gay overhauled Justin Gatlin in the closing stages to take the victory, overcoming a terrible start to run an encouraging time of 9.99s. Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre came home in third.

Elsewhere, reigning Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu finished fourth in the final of the women's 400m, setting a season's best of 50.59 as she bids to peak in time for the forthcoming Games. She nevertheless finished well behind winner Amantle Montsho - the Botswana athlete crossing the line in 49.77s to maintain her lead in the Diamond League standings.

Tiffany Porter came third in the women's 100m hurdles - in a race won by Sally Pearson in a world-leading time of 12.40s - while Shara Proctor, with a jump of 6.65m, finished a narrow second in the long jump.

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