Keely Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion in the 800m, will compete at the European Championships in Birmingham in pursuit of her third consecutive title in the event. The 24-year-old British runner has achieved significant milestones in the current season, including breaking the indoor 800m world record, capturing her first world title, and setting a new British outdoor record.
Hodgkinson’s season has presented mixed results despite these accomplishments. She finished second to Swiss runner Audrey Werro at the Stockholm Diamond League while setting her British outdoor record. A muscle injury forced her withdrawal from the 400m final at the British Championships in June, and she subsequently finished second to world champion Lilian Odira at an event in Eugene, where she competed with heavily bandaged knees following a training fall.
The women’s 800m competition has drawn significant attention due to the caliber of competitors. Werro, 22, has posted the fastest time since the outdoor world record was established 43 years ago, while Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol, a two-time world 400m hurdles champion, has transitioned to compete in the 800m this season. Hodgkinson recently defeated Broeders-Bol at the London Diamond League and has continued her preparations in Portugal.
Hodgkinson expressed confidence in her readiness for the championship, characterizing her recent struggles as temporary setbacks that have motivated her preparation. She acknowledged the strength of her rivals while emphasizing her focus on executing her own race strategy. The athlete noted that winning a gold medal on home soil would hold special significance and comparable importance to her Olympic victory.
Werro’s personal best of 1:53.80 currently stands more than half a second faster than Hodgkinson’s 1:54.33, while Broeders-Bol has recorded 1:55.60. Hodgkinson, however, possesses greater championship experience compared to Werro, who secured her first senior international medal by taking world indoor silver earlier in the year.
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