Josh Kerr claimed 1500 metres silver after the United States’ Cole Hocker stormed to a shock gold in Olympic record time.
The Stade de France final was billed as the showdown of the century between the world champion Scotsman and his arch nemesis Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist.
The Norwegian quickly saw himself in front and held the lead into the final lap, when Kerr made his move along the back straight.
Just as it looked like Great Britain might have their second gold medal on the track, Hocker surged forward to snatch the title away as American Yared Nuguse claimed bronze, with Ingebrigtsen fourth.
Kerr told BBC Sport: “I can’t walk away from the championship disappointed. Obviously I said what my goals were, it was pretty obvious.
“But I’ve put a performance out there today that I was extremely proud of. I focused on my controllables, I ran the fastest and best 1500 metres I’ve ever done in my life and so when you start worrying about what everyone else does from the results then you’ll never be satisfied.
“It’s obviously not the colour of medal I want but it’s working towards the right colour – from bronze to silver.”
Josh Kerr gave it absolutely everything!
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 6, 2024
He claims silver in a thrilling 1500m final, which saw USA's Cole Hocker break the Olympic record to win gold. #Paris2024 https://t.co/DvorjZ9g9k pic.twitter.com/DkuA2Xh2dH
Ingebrigtsen told the BBC: “My plan was to win. It didn’t go according to plan. But I felt very strong the first couple of laps.
“I had difficulty telling the pace because it was quite fast. But it was difficult to slow down and reduce myself a little bit.
“I saw I was starting to get a little bit of a gap and I kept on pushing but it was just 100 metres too long today. The guys behind me finishing in front of me did a great race. It’s not always easy to spend your energy wisely but I felt strong and not the result I wanted.
“A 1500m the pace is so fast the whole race, especially with me opening so strong. You cant really tell 100 per cent when you’re hitting the wall before you hit it – it just a little bit too early today.”
Kerr might not have taken the title, but he did set a new national record in 3:27.79, while Nuguse clocked a personal best 3:27.80 and Ingebrigtsen finished in 3:28.24.
The two men had met 15 times before at 1500m including their Olympic semi-final in Paris, just Kerr’s second attempt at the distance this year, his first in the Paris heats.
Kerr came out on top when the pair last met in the mile at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene in May for a British record 3:45.34.
Ingebrigtsen, suffering from a nagging Achilles problem, announced in January he would not participate in the indoor season, but has since bounced back, setting a new personal best in the 1500 metres with a time of 3:26.73 at a Diamond League meet in Monaco on July 12.
The Norwegian would have become just the second man since World Athletics president Lord Coe in 1984 to win 1500m gold twice had he triumphed in Paris.
Now Kerr has a chance to win his first at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, and become the first Briton to win a 1500 title since Lord Coe claimed his second in the same city 40 years ago.
I will get the medal I want when it comes to it at the end of my career. Today wasn't that day but it's a heck of a step in the right direction
Kerr added: “I’m 26 years old, this road is not over. I really wanted it today. I told you what I wanted and obviously didn’t get it. There’s going to be that part of me that’s eager and ready for that next one.
“But I’m really, really proud of the way I executed today. That’s going to have to be enough for just now. It makes me hungry and ready for more and I’m just glad I was able to add another tally to the medal count for Team GB today.
“Obviously that (gold in Los Angeles) would be amazing. I’m secure in myself as a medallist every time I come to these championships, bar one in the last four years. I’ve been consistent at this level and I will get the medal I want when it comes to it at the end of my career. Today wasn’t that day but it’s a heck of a step in the right direction.”