Having won five global medals as an ever-present in the British women’s 4x100m team, including two Olympic bronzes, it is now individual honours that Neita is targeting as she builds towards Paris 2024.
Qualifying fastest for the final in 22.51secs, Neita pulled alongside the leading Kambundji but was beaten in a dip to the line.
A European bronze medallist over 100m two years ago, Neita made a promising start to the year which included two Diamond League victories in Suzhou and Doha as she continues to develop under coach Marco Airale in Italy.
Keith will make her Olympic debut this summer after taking victory at the Night of the 10,000m PBs in May, which doubled as the Olympic trials for the event.
In Rome she demonstrated her talent on a major international stage as she stuck with the leaders and held out for a podium place, less than a year after winning European under-23 5,000m gold.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti (30:51.32) completed a long-distance double by adding to her 5,000m title, followed by Dutch athlete Diane van Es (30:57.24).
However, Eilish McColgan’s return to international competition following a long injury lay-off ended prematurely, and British team-mate Jessica Warner-Judd also did not finish.
The 33-year-old McColgan, winner of European silver two years ago, pulled up after 6,000m after losing touch with the leading group – and she now faces an uphill battle to prove her fitness and make her fourth Olympic Games.
