London 2017: Heartbreak for Laura Muir as the medal hopeful is edged into fourth place in thrilling 1500m final

Kenya's Faith Kipyegon won a thrillingly close women's 1500m final at the World Championships in London, as Britain's Muir was edged into a disappointing fourth place

Muir came so close to winning a medal (Getty)

There was heartbreak in the 1500m final for Great Britain’s Laura Muir, as the 24-year-old missed out on a podium in a desperately close finish at the London Stadium.

The home hope, who was one of Britain’s brightest medal prospects at the World Championships, raced off into an early lead in a bold attempt to dictate the pace of the final, but found herself overtaken late on by Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and the pre-race favourite, Sifan Hassan.

Muir still looked in a good position to claim a bronze medal, and even overtook a fading Hassan, but was passed by the American Jenny Simpson before being beaten on the line by Caster Semenya.

Muir stormed into an early lead but was overtaken late on (Getty)

“I gave it everything I could,” she said after the race.

“I tied up in the last 15 yards. I gave it everything, considering the disruption I've had this year. I knew it was close. It happened so late in the race. I couldn't react, but I wouldn't have been able to because I was so tired.”

It was a fantastic race for Kipyegon, who added the world title to her 2016 Olympic gold. She judged her charge to perfection and was able to hold off the charging field over the final metres.

The home hope at least received a consoling hug from the tournament mascot (Getty)

Kipyegon, silver medallist two years ago, took up the running with 600, to go and was stride for stride with Hassan until the Dutchwoman faded in the closing stages while the Kenyan stayed strong to cross the line in four minutes, 2.59 seconds.

Simpson, the 2011 champion, finished like a sprinter to take second while 800 metres specialist Semenya of South Africa grabbed the bronze.

Defending champion and world record holder Genzebe Dibaba, the Ethiopian who made the final only as a fast loser, was never in contention and finished last.