Keely Hodgkinson Attributes Paris Fashion Week Encounter to Enhanced Performance
British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has disclosed that a recent meeting with reality television star Kim Kardashian at Paris Fashion Week has positively influenced her preparation for a significant world record attempt this evening. The 23-year-old athlete, who also secured the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, is targeting the indoor 800m world record in Lievin, France, on Thursday. This ambitious endeavor follows her establishment of a new British record in Birmingham just last weekend, showcasing her exceptional current form.
Historic Record and Personal Connection
The existing world record for the indoor 800m event is held by former Slovenian athlete Jolanda Ceplak, who achieved a remarkable time of 1:55.82 on March 3, 2002. Intriguingly, this date coincides with Hodgkinson's own birthdate, adding a layer of personal significance to her pursuit. Hodgkinson's recent performance in Birmingham, where she clocked 1:56.33, demonstrates her proximity to breaking this long-standing record, setting the stage for a potentially historic moment in athletics.
Balance and Happiness as Performance Catalysts
Granted permission to attend Paris Fashion Week prior to the World Indoor Tour event in Lievin, Hodgkinson seized the opportunity to connect with Kim Kardashian, describing the experience as "a lot of fun." In an interview with The Sun, she emphasized the critical importance of maintaining balance and happiness away from the track to enhance athletic performance. Hodgkinson articulated her philosophy, stating, "I'm really big on balance. Balance is definitely my thing. My internal happiness comes before anything else."
She elaborated on the benefits of this approach, noting, "The happier I am off the track, I bring that same energy to the track. I just am much better at training. I'm much better at racing. I look forward to things more. And I just think getting that balance is obviously really important." This mindset underscores her belief that psychological well-being and enjoyment directly translate to improved physical execution and competitive success.
Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Current Form
Despite facing an injury-disrupted 2025 following her gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics, Hodgkinson is currently experiencing what she describes as the form of her life. Reflecting on her impressive performance in Birmingham, she expressed confidence rather than surprise, indicating a strong mental and physical state. Hodgkinson remarked, "I don't want to put a time limit on what I think I can do but I didn't mean to go that fast, which shows I'm in a really good place."
She provided insight into her race strategy, explaining, "We set out just trying to practice that first 200 and I saw the time at 400 and 600 and thought, 'Oh, we'll just keep going and end up with a really good time here.' But I’m not totally surprised with that time. I know I’m capable of things like that. So it’s just like, how fast can we really go? And hopefully we can find out." This attitude highlights her readiness and determination to push boundaries in tonight's world record attempt.
As Hodgkinson prepares to take on the challenge in Lievin, her blend of elite athleticism and a balanced lifestyle, exemplified by her enjoyable encounter with Kim Kardashian, positions her as a formidable contender to rewrite the record books and inspire future generations in the sport.
