Bol breaks Oceania record as Australian men master the mile

• Bol broke the 800-metre Australian record for the third time in Paris
• The brilliant Perth-based half-miler ran 44.00 at Diamond League race

Peter Bol has lowered the Australian 800 metres for the third time and thought for a moment he'd earned a perfect early birthday present for his coach at the Paris Diamond League meeting.

The brilliant half-miler was outpaced for victory on Saturday night by an inspired but controversial finish from home favourite Benjamin Robert, with Bol's handsome consolation being a new Oceanian landmark of one minute 44.00 seconds for the two-lap event.