400m hopeful Rooney is eyeing final

Martyn Rooney gave Britain's Olympic athletics challenge another welcome boost as the 400 metres prospect clocked a new lifetime best and smashed the 45-second barrier for the second time in four days in Monte Carlo.

The 21-year-old from Croydon, who has been tipped by world record holder Michael Johnson as the man to revitalise British one-lap running, won in 44.72sec, which rockets him to seventh among those eligible to compete in Beijing.

It followed Rooney's tremendous breakthrough at the London Grand Prix at the weekend, when he dipped under 45 seconds for the first time as he maintained his season's unbeaten record.

Rooney is confident that, after setting the best two times by a European quarter-miler this year, he can now reach the Olympic final.

The Herculis meeting also saw 800m selection Michael Rimmer break 1min 45sec for the first time as he came home in sixth place.