CRUEL BRITANNIA

Kerr's silver summed up a thrilling Games where Team GB's best just wasn't enough and legend Andy said farewell

- FRASER WILSON

PARIS' wonderful metro system kindly warns you to beware of pickpockets at every stop.

If only someone had alerted Josh Kerr as he thundered towards his destination at the top of the Olympic podium - only to have gold ripped from his grasp when he wasn't looking in the Stade de France.

That sneaky Hocker.

Admittedly, when American Cole picked the Scot's pocket to take 1500 metres gold right at the death of a thrilling race it was a piece of sporting brilliance that epitomised a remarkable Games.

It also kind of summed up Team GB's "so near, yet so far but what a good effort" story of Paris 2024.

Kerr produced the fastest 1500m of his life and a new British record but still cruelly missed his target.

Fast forward 24 hours and it was like watching a re-run in the 400m as Matthew Hudson-Smith was on the wrong end of a last-gasp American dash and grab, courtesy of Quincy Hall.

On Saturday night in the women's 1500m we watched Laura Muir run the distance faster than she ever had shaving more than a second off the time that won her silver at the last Olympics.

Yet the Scot had to settle for FIFTH this time such was the ridiculous standard of the field.

Boy this was a cruel Games. But the standard was a constant reminder that the Olympics truly are the greatest show on earth.

Over 16 days GB comfortably hit their target of between 50 and 70 medals by bringing home 65 matching London 2012 and surpassing Tokyo by one.

But only 14 of those were gold - down eight from the last Games and a massive drop on the 27 won in Rio and 29 in London.