Keely Hodgkinson has spoken about the sacrifices she has made to reach the top of world athletics. The Olympic 800m champion, 24, is aiming to add the European title in Birmingham this week, but she has admitted that her success has come at a cost.
Time away from family and friends
Speaking ahead of the European Championships, Hodgkinson was asked what her career had cost her. She told the Time to ZOOM In show with Jeremiah Azu: "I think it costs you a lot of sacrifice from family and friends.
"I travel a lot, so I spend a lot of months of the year not at home. I'm quite fortunate that when I do go back home, my family's there."
Missed parts of her personality
Hodgkinson also admitted that her focus on athletics has meant she has not explored other aspects of her personality. She added: "Also, some parts of my personality. It [athletics] comes with a lot of discipline and time where you're thinking about how you can be better.
"I'm big on self-improvement, both in personality and physically. You spend so much time on that, that you could have missed out on a whole other part of you that you haven't discovered."
No need to prove anything
Hodgkinson insisted she has nothing to prove after winning her opening 800m heat in Birmingham in one minute, 57.28 seconds, the fastest time of the heats. Her showdown with Swiss rival Audrey Werro has been billed as the race of the championships, but Hodgkinson is taking it in stride.
She said: "I don't think I need to put out any kind of statement. I back myself, I don't need to go crazy trying to prove anything. That will come in the final, hopefully, when it really matters. Happy to do that, happy to be in shape and healthy, most importantly. I'm just ready."
Extreme heat warning for semi-final
Hodgkinson is set for a scorching semi-final in Birmingham, where an amber warning for "extreme heat" has been issued for Thursday. The 800m semis at the Alexander Stadium start at 12.10pm, when the Met Office expects the temperature to hit 32 degrees Celsius.
