COLCHESTER'S Charlie Dobson missed out on a place in the Men's 400 metres final at the Paris Olympics after finishing fourth in a competitive first semi-final.

The 24-year-old at one point held the lead as the men entered the back stretch before dropping back, digging deep to claw back to see himself across the line fourth in 44.48.

Despite his disappointment, Dobson can be proud of his performance at his first-ever Games.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Obviously, I'm gutted but at the end of the day, I went out there and did everything I could so I can't not be happy with that.

"I wanted to get out well, use my 200 speed, get to two fast enough and then just hold on for dear life!

"It's worked up until now but unfortunately, it just wasn't enough today.

"No-one said it was going to be easy - it's the Olympics!

"My mum, dad, brother and girlfriend were over there, so it was nice to see them.

"I'm over the moon with how this season has gone and although it's not gone as well as I wanted it to go (in the semi-final), I can't complain."

Fellow Team GB athlete Matthew Hudson-Smith booked his place in tomorrow night's final with a dominant semi-final performance at Stade de France.

The Wolverhampton athlete immediately started chasing down his challengers, and was ahead by a few metres at the final stretch.

He flew towards the finish in 44.07 before seeming to slow down as he approached, and pumped his fist after getting the job done.

It is a second Olympic final for the 29-year-old, who finished last at the Rio 2016 Games and missed Tokyo 2020 due to injury.

He claimed his first major medal with world bronze in 2022, then upgraded to silver at last year's world championships in Budapest.

Lina Nielsen's Olympics came to an end in heart-breaking fashion after falling at the final hurdle in her 400 metres hurdles semi-final.

The 28-year-old was in with an outside shot of booking an automatic place with a top-two finish, locked in a late battle for third with before ruling herself out.

Nielsen's twin sister Laviai was part of the 4x400 metres mixed relay team who won bronze for Great Britain on Saturday.

The evening session kicked off with a medal presentation ceremony for Monday night's medallists, including British 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.

The Atherton athlete, who was presented her gold medal by World Athletics president and two-time Olympic champion Lord Coe, shed a tear on the podium as 'God Save the King' played.