Keely Hodgkinson has vowed she will not be beaten again after suffering a shock defeat to Switzerland's Audrey Werro in the 800 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm. The Olympic champion, who finished seventh in the 400m in Rome just days earlier, returned to her favoured distance but was outwitted by Werro, who crossed the finish line in one minute 53.98 seconds – the third fastest women's 800m ever recorded and the quickest time of 2026.
A Stunning Performance
Hodgkinson and Werro broke away from the rest of the field in Stockholm, yet the British athlete was unable to keep pace with her Swiss rival's scorching speed despite clocking a personal best of 1:54.33. The loss left viewers, pundits, and Hodgkinson herself stunned. In the immediate aftermath, Hodgkinson said: "Massive respect to Audrey. That was incredible racing from her and she helped me to run faster."
Hodgkinson's Response
"I was glad of her pushing me throughout the race and then fighting me to the line, but I won't let that happen again. I wasn't expecting that from her and I thought she'd come back to me at the end, but such a surprise is good for me and for each other. She's getting the best out of me and I still believe in myself – the world record is still my goal in London next month. I still believe I can do it," added Hodgkinson.
Hodgkinson finished seventh in a 400m race on Thursday and confirmed her plans to compete over 800m in Eugene before the Diamond League meeting in London in July. Despite finishing behind her rival, Hodgkinson took some positives away after revealing she felt some nerves beforehand. "I was a little bit apprehensive coming in, not quite knowing exactly where I was with the 800m, because we have been doing some 400m training and are going to put together the 800m now. But it makes me excited because I can build on this great start. It's still very early. It's good to have a run in your legs because you can learn what you can do better but overall I am quite happy with that race because I made the right decisions, but Audrey was just better on the day," she said.
Other Highlights from Stockholm
Elsewhere in Stockholm, pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis suffered a shock defeat to Kurtis Marschall after failing to clear 6.05m. Duplantis said: "I felt a bit unfocused today and I really did not want to lose here in front of my family and fans. I have not lost in what three years? But hats off to Kurtis today who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses." Earlier in the day, British sprinter Amy Hunt recorded a personal best in the 200m, though she was powerless to stop world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden from claiming victory.
