Injury-jinxed Holmes suffers further disappointment in Budapest

Holmes rejoined the field after hitting the ground just after the halfway mark.

But the gutsy former army sergeant was unable to make up the 20m gap and crossed the line ninth and last in four minutes 12.30 seconds.

Kutre Delecha of Ethiopia blitzed the last 300m to cruise to gold in four minutes 06.40 seconds.

Holmes was lost for words after the stumble which prevented her turning last year's world silver medal into gold.

"I fell, I tried and I didn't get a medal," said the 33-year-old.

"I'm gutted and there's really nothing to say.

"I honestly believed I could have won that race."

Holmes said she did not think about pulling out of the race after her tumble.

"I didn't want to give up, I got up and kept running," she told BBC Radio Five Sports Extra.

Holmes' American coach Margo Jennings, who encouraged the athlete to take up indoor running last season, was determined to remain positive.

"Kelly's chance will come again," said Jennings. "She wanted this opportunity to be the one which would win her gold."

"She's put a lot of effort into this year. She always does. But this was to be something special."