Asher-Smith and Neita run a dead heat in battle of Brits but lag behind Ta Lou

The battle for bragging rights between Britain’s top two sprinters was left hanging in the warm Oslo air after Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita could not be separated after a thrilling 100m. The women, who will be targeting world medals in Budapest in August, were adjudged to have run a dead heat after returning times of 10.98sec.

While that time was respectable – and marked a notable return to form for Asher-Smith – both wanted more after finishing in joint-fourth behind Marie-Josée Ta Lou, whose time of 10.74 is the fastest of the year.

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“I was hoping for a little bit quicker because I really think I am in great shape right now but sometimes that just doesn’t happen,” said Asher-Smith, who had no response when Ta Lou surged clear in the final 30m. “I was really happy to do all right in a really stacked field, although maybe my start could have been a bit better.”

Neita, meanwhile, was slightly more upbeat. “I am not happy with fourth place but I am happy with another sub-11,” she said. “It’s not so bad.”

Numerous world records have been set down the years at Bislett Stadium, by athletes of the calibre of Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram – including three famously on the same night in 1985. But while there was no world record on this night, there were plenty of brilliant races and fast times.

Chief among them was the sight of the Norwegian Karsten Warholm back to his best in the 400m hurdles. The world record-holder and Olympic champion delighted his home crowd by charging to victory in 46.52 – the fourth-fastest time ever and a Diamond League record – in his first