Laura Muir cruises into 1500m final

SCOTLAND'S Laura Muir showcased why she is considered a dark horse for a 1,500m medal with a classy and composed showing in her semi-final last night.

Scotland's Laura Muir was composed and in control during her 1500m semi-final. PICTURE: PA Wire

The 23-year-old came third in her semi, with the top five guaranteed to progress, in 4:04.16 behind Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia and Sifan Hassan but looked to have lots more in the tank for the final, which takes place at 2.30am in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

GB team-mate Laura Weightman joined Muir, who has been in superb form this season, in the final by clocking 4:05.28.

Christine Ohuruogu’s bid for a third straight Olympic 400m medal, after gold in Beijing and silver in London, was ended by a fifth-placed finish in her semi-final in 51.22.

The 32-year-old afterwards hinted at retirement.

She said: “I think it’s one minute to midnight and this girl is about to turn into a pumpkin. I think it’s coming to an end, training is getting harder and I’m getting old.”

Compatriot Emily Diamond also failed to make the final, finishing sixth in her race in 51.49. American Allyson Felix looked on course for gold after qualifying fastest in a season’s best 49.67.