Keely Hodgkinson seemed destined to claim her first world 800m title last summer. With her top rival, America’s Olympic champion Athing Mu, struggling with form and fitness, Hodgkinson, 22, entered the final in Budapest as the fastest in the field. However, despite her strong position, she was overtaken in the home stretch by Kenya’s Mary Moraa.
Vowing never to experience such a defeat again, Hodgkinson has embraced a new approach. “A championship is a completely clean slate for me,” she declared after an impressive 800m performance that ranks as the sixth fastest in history. “I’ve come into championships ranked 10th and finished second. I was world No. 1 last year and finished second. Times aren’t everything, so for me, it’s about getting to the final and then focusing on medals.”
This mindset is crucial for success at the highest levels of competition. As spectators, we can speculate more freely. Hodgkinson appears a strong contender for Olympic gold in Paris next month, especially after her recent performance at the London Diamond League. Her victory, clocking in at 1 minute 54.61 seconds, is the fastest in the world since 2018 and has sparked discussions about potentially breaking Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 1983 world record of 1:53:28.
The excitement surrounding Hodgkinson extends beyond her individual achievements. Jemma Reekie, with a time of 1:55:61 in a recent race, is now second on the global list, while Georgia Bell, who finished third in London, is the third-fastest woman in the world this year. This impressive ranking suggests that British athletics is experiencing a golden era, with Hodgkinson leading a strong contingent.
“I think we’re in a bit of a golden era, to be honest,” Hodgkinson said. “There are lots of medal contenders, finalists, and some of the best athletes in the world. It’s a great time to watch and be part of the sport.”
Reigning world 1,500m champion Josh Kerr is set for an exciting showdown with Norway’s Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, promising one of the most thrilling rivalries of the Paris Games. Meanwhile, British middle-distance runners Ben Pattison, Jake Wightman, Max Burgin, and Laura Muir are all legitimate podium hopefuls.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson aims to complete her collection of world, European, and Commonwealth medals with an Olympic medal. Despite recent injury concerns, she has shown encouraging form. Similarly, sprinter Zharnel Hughes is determined to overcome past setbacks and compete for gold in the 100m.
Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita, while facing tough competition in individual events, have strong prospects in the 4x100m relay, with the British team matching their national record in their final pre-Paris tune-up.
As the Paris Olympics approach, British athletics is brimming with potential. The stage is set for a series of memorable performances, with Keely Hodgkinson and her fellow athletes ready to make history.
[…] Keely Hodgkinson ended her three-year skid of silver medals at the Stade de France by winning the gold medal in the 800 meters with an incredible show of resilience and perseverance. The 22-year-old from Atherton watched the enormous screen closely as she approached the gold medal to make sure that no unforeseen events could ruin her chances of winning. But she was unstoppable this time. […]