Team GB's golden girl Keely Hodgkinson has bravely revealed her ongoing battle with anxiety as she prepares to defend her Olympic title in Paris this summer. The 22-year-old athletics sensation, who stormed to victory in the 800m at Tokyo 2020, admits the pressure of expectation is taking its toll both mentally and physically.
The Weight of Expectation
"I've been struggling with anxiety recently," Hodgkinson confessed ahead of what could be her second Olympic appearance. "It's been quite tough, to be honest. The pressure builds up, and sometimes it feels like the world is watching your every move."
The middle-distance star described how the psychological demands of elite sport have manifested in physical symptoms, including disrupted sleep patterns and pre-competition nerves that threaten to overwhelm her.
Beyond the Podium
Despite her remarkable success on the track, Hodgkinson emphasised that life as an Olympic champion isn't always glamorous. "People see the medals and the celebrations, but they don't see the nights lying awake worrying about performance, or the constant pressure to maintain that winning form," she revealed.
The young athlete has been working closely with sports psychologists and her support team to develop coping mechanisms, acknowledging that mental health maintenance is as crucial as physical training in her preparation for Paris.
Road to Redemption
Hodgkinson's journey hasn't been without setbacks since her Tokyo triumph. The reigning champion faces fierce competition and the daunting task of replicating her career-defining performance under even greater scrutiny.
"Every athlete dreams of winning Olympic gold, but defending it brings a completely different kind of pressure," she explained. "There's this expectation that you should automatically do it again, but sport doesn't work like that."
A New Perspective
The Wigan-born runner has adopted a more balanced approach to her Paris campaign, prioritising mental wellbeing alongside athletic performance. "I'm learning to be kinder to myself," Hodgkinson shared. "Some days will be better than others, and that's okay."
Her openness about mental health struggles marks a significant shift in elite sports culture, with Hodgkinson joining a growing number of athletes speaking out about the psychological challenges of competition at the highest level.
As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, all eyes will be on whether Britain's middle-distance queen can conquer both her competitors and her inner demons to secure back-to-back Olympic glory.
