Steeplechaser Lalita Babar fails to end India's medal drought at Rio Olympics

Indian steeplechaser Lalita Babar failed to end the country's agonising wait for an Olympic medal on the tenth day of the competition as she finished 10th in the women's 3000m final here at the Rio Olympics on Monday.

The 27-year-old Asian Champion, hailing from Maharashtra, finished 10th with a timing of 9:22.74 as Bahrain's Jebet Ruth clinched the gold with a timing of 8:59.75.

Kenyan steeplechaser Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi and American Emma Coburn bagged silver and bronze medals respectively.

Lalita had scripted history when she became the first Indian track athlete after legendary PT Usha to qualify for the Olympic final in 32 years on Saturday.

The Indian steeplechaser smashed the national record by seven seconds when she finished seventh overall in the qualifying round with a timing of 9:19.76.