ATHLETICS: Rio 2016 bound Kathryn Mitchell has won javelin silver at the opening leg of the Diamond League season in Doha.

Mitchell threw a best mark of 63.25m to finish just under two metres behind South Africa's Sunette Viljoen who threw 65.14 metres.

Heading into her final attempt Mitchell sat in fourth but managed to pull out a strong throw when it mattered to claim her spot on the podium.

Ben Harradine finished eighth in the discus event with a best throw of 61.04m as Piotr Malachowski claimed the gold with a 2016 world best mark of 69.03m.

Ryan Gregson was 12th in a time of 3:40.69 with Kenya filling the top four placings as Asbel Kiprop won gold.

Madeline Hills finished 16th in the 3000m steeplechase in a time of 8:59.34 with Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia winning in 8:23.11.

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au