Scotland's Laura Muir breaks British 1,500m record

Laura Muir confirmed she will be in the running for an Olympic medal in Rio by smashing the British 1,500 metres record at the Anniversary Games in London last night, writes Mark Woods.

Laura Muir can't believe her own brilliance as she wins the Women's 1500m. Picture: PA

The previous time the mark was lowered, 12 years ago, it propelled Kelly Holmes to gold in Athens.

But now 23-year-old Muir, from Milnathort, sits proudly on top of the rankings after a sensational burst for home which left world indoor champion Sifan Hassan in her wake.

The Scot stopped the clock in 3:57.49, beating Holmes’ time of 3:57.90 and slashing a second off her own previous best.

“It was pretty good,” Muir said in a massive under-statement. “I knew I was in about four-minute pace but I must have picked it up on the second half. I took over two seconds off it [that pace] so it shows how strong I am. I’m over the moon with that. It’s not just any record. It’s Kelly Holmes’ Olympic gold medal record. It’s great to have.”

In three weeks, she will bid to duplicate that level of dominance in Rio. Anything close and the veterinary student will be in the frame to follow in Holmes’ golden footsteps.

“I was confident already going into Rio but to take a Diamond League victory on home soil going into the Olympics, that couldn’t have made my confidence any higher,” she added.