Keely Hodgkinson’s season nearly unravelled after a trip to Windsor Castle to collect her MBE from Prince William left her back stiff, leading to a torn right hamstring. The injury, her third in nine months, could have derailed lesser athletes, but the 23-year-old Olympic champion made a stunning return in Silesia on Saturday.
In her first race in 376 days since winning gold in Paris, Hodgkinson clocked 1 min 54.74 sec – the fastest time in the world this year and the ninth-quickest in history. Coach Trevor Painter said she was not confident beforehand, but she pushed hard throughout, ignoring doubt to deliver a performance that reinforced her status as Britain’s greatest sporting talent.
Hodgkinson has faced criticism online for posting TikToks and enjoying downtime, but Painter defended her, saying she trains hard and relaxes in her own way. “She’s working damn hard, but she plays hard as well,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hodgkinson plans to compete at the world championships next month and the Athlos meeting in New York in October. Painter hinted at a possible world-record attempt, saying the controversial mark of 1:53.28 set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983 is in reach with the right conditions. “I think she’s got a 1:53 in her,” he said.
To prevent further injuries, Hodgkinson’s training has shifted to fewer high-intensity sessions and more endurance work. The M11 track club now has a full-time physiotherapist funded by Nike, benefiting the whole group and ensuring Hodgkinson’s body is ready before fast running.
