Keely Hodgkinson delivered a stunning performance to win Olympic 800m gold at the Stade de France, securing Great Britain's first track and field medal of the Paris Games. The 22-year-old from Atherton crossed the line in 1 minute 56.72 seconds, finally shedding the silver medals she had collected at the Tokyo Olympics and two subsequent world championships.
Hodgkinson's victory was a masterclass in tactical racing. After a modest first lap of 58.30 seconds, she bided her time before unleashing a devastating surge with 100 metres to go, leaving world champion Mary Moraa and others in her wake. Tsige Duguma took silver in 1:57.15, while Moraa claimed bronze.
Reflecting on her win, Hodgkinson admitted relief was her first emotion. 'The first thing you feel is relief, because you work so hard for these four days to go perfectly. Then it's just the excitement after finally something that I've had in my head for three years coming together nicely,' she said. She added that she had 'a little cheeky look up at the screen' to ensure victory was secure.
Hodgkinson becomes the third British woman to win Olympic 800m gold, following Ann Packer (1964) and Kelly Holmes (2004). Her journey began at age 10, watching Jessica Ennis-Hill win heptathlon gold at London 2012. Initially a swimmer, she joined her local athletics club and discovered her natural talent.
The victory marks a culmination of years of near misses, including silver at Tokyo 2021 and the 2022 and 2023 world championships. Hodgkinson credited a critical pre-Games workout that confirmed she was in shape to run a high 1:53, boosting her confidence. 'I feel like I have really grown in the last couple of years. The future's bright. And I am so happy I can bring it home,' she said.
