Kirani James too strong for competition in Birmingham 400m

Favourite Kirani James won the men's 400m event at this afternoon's Diamond League meeting in Birmingham.

Olympic champion James of Grenada cruised home in 44.59s to beat Isaac Makwala (45.02s) of Botswana and Great Britain's Martyn Rooney (45.25s).

"I'm very pleased with that," James told reporters. "I've had a successful end to the season, it's always good to finish on a high."

Rooney added: "I had tired legs and it's been a really busy week after the Euros. I've won my first ever Diamond League points today at 27 years old.

"Third is good but I would have liked to have run faster but I can't complain after a great season."

Rooney's fellow Brit Matthew Hudson-Smith (46.60s) was seventh.