Semenya leaves sprint finish too late as Sevinova takes gold in women's 800m

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UPDATED:

19:22 GMT, 11 August 2012

Russia's Mariya Savinova added Olympic gold to her world title with a commanding victory in the 800m in a season's best and world-leading time of 1:56.19.

America's Alysia Johnson Montano led the field through the bell before defending champion Pamela Jelimo hit the front, the Kenyan leading around the top bend but then fading badly down the home straight.

Savinova timed her run to perfection and eased away to finish over a second ahead of the fast-finishing former world champion Caster Semenya, with Jelimo relegated to fourth on the line by Russia's Ekaterina Poistogova.

More follows

Over the line: Mariya Savinova wins the 800m, holding off the late burst of Caster Semenya and Ekaterina Poistogova

Final chance: Caster Semenya left her sprint too late to win the 800m