Keely Hodgkinson finished second behind Audrey Werro in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, and has revealed she competed despite a torn hamstring.
The Swiss athlete, who has been Hodgkinson's main rival this year, led from the front and held off a late challenge from the British runner. Dutch athlete Femke Broeders Bol finished third.
The result follows Hodgkinson's silver medal at last month's European Championships, where she again finished behind Werro. She had earlier withdrawn from the final rounds of the Diamond League and the final in Brussels due to hamstring issues.
Injury revelation and apology
Speaking to BBC TV, Hodgkinson disclosed the injury and apologised for swearing during the interview.
“Where do I start? On the outside, people might think I’m disappointed with that but I’m actually quite proud of how I approached that,” she said.
“What was Europeans three four weeks ago? I actually tore my hamstring during that race, so I didn’t know if I was going to be here it was very much touch and go, I was really on it with the rehab, I really owe it to my team and the doctors, everyone that helped me make the decision to come here.
“I was realy close and I was obviously going for the win, but I’m proud of how we handled that and still fighting and another great race.
Asked what she had to do to get on the start line, she swore before adding: “Excuse my French. Make sure things are ok and test it session by session, which is why we only made the decision a week ago, so it’s been a bit of a frustrating season, but I think overall, I’m finishing second in the world and I can’t really be too hard on myself with that.
“And congrats to Audrey as well, an incredible season, dominant and I’ll look forward to racing her again next season.”
Prize money and reaction
The interviewer then issued her own apology: “Apologies for the language for anybody listening, but the emotions are high,” she said as Hodgkinson smiled.
By not winning the event, Hodgkinson missed out on a prize pot of £110,000. As runner-up, she receives £55,000, with third place earning £29,500.
