Gillick third behind Olympic champ Merritt in Monte Carlo

THE race may not have lived up to its billing but Ireland’s David Gillick won’t complain about that after finishing third behind the Olympic champion, LaShawn Merritt (USA) in the 400m at last night’s Super Grand Prix meeting in Monte Carlo.

Gillick, unfazed after false starting in Lane 3, had Merritt in his sights in Lane 4 and held the Olympic champion through the opening 200m before the American pulled clear in the third 100m and won in 44.34 secs.

But Merritt was the only man to break 45 seconds with another American, fast finishing David Neville, finishing second in 45.26 secs after reeling in Gillick who held on to third place in 45.34 secs, with the French man, Leslie Djhone, who won the race last year, chasing the Irishman across the line in 45.57 secs.