Swiss middle-distance star Audrey Werro has moved closer to one of athletics’ most enduring records after producing the third-fastest 800m time in history at the Zurich Diamond League.

Roared on by a capacity crowd of around 25,000 spectators, the European champion clocked 1:53.70, finishing just 0.42 seconds outside Jarmila Kratochvilova’s world record of 1:53.28, which has stood for 43 years.

Werro entered the final 100m with the infield pacing lights indicating world-record pace, but despite pushing hard to the finish, she couldn’t find the extra speed needed to make history.

The 22-year-old nevertheless lowered her personal best by another tenth of a second and strengthened her position as one of the fastest 800m runners ever. Her latest performance also means she now owns four of the 10 fastest times in history, all achieved this summer.

“I am so proud to be able to run those sub-1:54 times, which shows that I can run consistently and fast now,” Werro said, acknowledging that the world record was within reach but not quite within her grasp.

Werro has improved every year since establishing herself at the highest level and has now turned her full attention to athletics after completing her studies. Her remarkable consistency has made her the biggest threat yet to Kratochvilova’s long-standing mark.

Her rise also presents a major challenge to Britain’s Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who withdrew from the Zurich meeting after winning European silver behind Werro in Birmingham.

With Werro repeatedly threatening the 1:54 barrier, the question is no longer whether she is capable of challenging the record, but when she will finally break it.

Is Audrey Werro now the athlete most likely to end the 43-year reign of the women’s 800m world record?