Great Britain's Charlie Grice qualifies for 1,500m final at Rio 2016

Great Britain's Charlie Grice has qualified for the Olympic final of the men's 1,500m with a fifth-place finish in the first semi-final. The 22-year-old sealed his place in the final with a last-ditch dip on the finish line in the Olympic Stadium.

Grice only qualified for the semi-final on appeal, after he was pushed by Norway's European champion Filip Ingebrigtsen in the closing stages of their heat. However, he produced a much-improved performance during his second appearance in Rio to progress to the final.

The Brighton-born middle-distance runner fought off stiff competition to sneak the last automatic qualifying place behind the likes of Asbel Kiprop, Ayanleh Souleiman and Matthew Centrowitz Jr.

"I am so happy to get through," he subsequently told the BBC. "When the pace was slow I was quite nervous but I knew my 800m speed was good. I told myself to stay patient and I am glad I redeemed myself because Tuesday was not me.

"A few times people were cutting in, so I am just glad I stayed on my feet. I wanted to make sure I proved myself today. It was close but I am thrilled. Two days to rest up and the final will be a cracker."

Meanwhile, Grice's Great Britain teammate Chris O'Hare produced a similarly gallant performance in the second semi-final, but faded badly in the home straight and ultimately finished in last position. "I am not sure what happened," O'Hare explained afterwards.

"I put myself in the position. I felt fine with 200m to go and tried to turn it on with 100m to go and it just was not there.

"I am so disappointed because I wanted to do better for myself, my family and everyone watching back home. I tried my best, I guess it is all I can do - but it is disappointing when I have put all this work in and I thought I was good enough."