Continuing the tradition of British teenage athletes making a splash on the Olympic stage, 17-year-old Phoebe Gill is the latest sensation to watch. Following Keely Hodgkinson’s memorable silver medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Gill is now stepping into the spotlight. She has recently turned professional and signed a sponsorship deal with PUMA.
Gill has made a name for herself in the 800m, achieving a personal best of 1:57.86 this year, which earned her the title of British Champion. She will proudly represent Great Britain at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Gill first gained attention last month when she recorded the second-fastest time in history for an under-18 athlete, just behind a controversial Chinese record from 1993. Her prowess was further demonstrated at the British Championships, where she claimed her first national title. Gill dominated a strong field, including Olympic finalists Jemma Reekie and Alexandra Bell, winning with a time of 1:58.66. Both Reekie and Gill will join Hodgkinson at the Olympics, with Hodgkinson competing in the 400m.
Gill’s rapid rise from wearing mismatched gear to becoming a professional athlete is remarkable. “It feels like a whirlwind,” she remarked. “I still feel like I’m dreaming. To be competing alongside my idols is just incredible.”
Keely Hodgkinson, who watched the race, was impressed by Gill’s performance. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on her, but I believe she has a strong chance of making the Olympic final if things go well,” Hodgkinson said. “She reminds me of myself when I was starting out.”
In the men’s 800m, there was drama as world 1500m champion Josh Kerr fell in the final stretch, allowing Ben Pattison to take the gold with a time of 1:45.49. Despite the fall, Kerr’s place in the 1500m event at the Olympics is secure.
The women’s 1500m saw a surprising result as Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir finished second to Georgia Bell. Additionally, Katarina Johnson-Thompson clocked her fastest 200m time since 2019, finishing in 23.20 seconds as she tested herself over the distance.
Phoebe Gill’s emergence as a top contender in British athletics sets the stage for an exciting performance at the Paris Olympics.
