Heartbreaking day for Meath hero

On a day that promised so much at the Tokyo Olympic Games, there was ultimate heartbreak for Natalya Coyle as she finished the Modern Pentathlon in 24th place.

After an excellent display in the fencing on the opening day of the Modern Pentathlon Coyle lay in third place ahead of the resumption of the competition this morning.

Coyle then produced a PB swim to finish in third and went into the show jumping discipline in fourth overall with ambitions of a medal to add to her sixth place finish at the Rio Games and her ninth place in London 2012.

However, the luck of the draw deserted the Irish athlete as she was paired with the stubborn horse Constantin for the equestrian and shipped 66 faults to drop to 19th overall.

With her medal hopes dashed Coyle was clearly devastated during the laser run and while she maintained her 19th spot for a good portion of the race, she faded in the final 800m and finished 24th.