Keely Hodgkinson's live BBC interview was briefly interrupted by a rival after she won her 800m heat at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Tuesday. The British star, aiming for a third consecutive European title, was left stunned by the standard of her heat.
Heat Victory and Reaction
The 24-year-old began her defence with a routine victory in the opening heat, finishing ahead of Italy's Eloisa Coiro and Germany's Smilla Kolbe in a time of 1:57.28. Speaking after the race, Hodgkinson said she felt "comfortable" on the track, but admitted to being taken aback by the quality of the field.
"Relieved isn't the word I would use at all," she said. "I've worked so hard and the shape has been there all year, it's just been an unfortunate couple of ends that have led to me being a little bit off. But, who cares? The championship is a fresh start, that felt very good, very comfortable. It was a little windy. The standard has gone up - 1.57, in the heats!"
Interview Interruption
Hodgkinson's comments came after her interview was briefly crashed by Coiro, who couldn't resist telling BBC viewers her true feelings on the British star. As she prepared to answer the opening question, the Italian runner grabbed her and told interviewer Sarah Mulkerrins: "She is such an inspiration. Such a cool girl. Such an inspiration, on and off the track, really."
Coiro then turned to Hodgkinson and said: "You're the champion for me," with the Atherton-born runner giggling at her rival's remarks. "Aw, bless her," she explained. "We grew up competing against each other, so it's nice. She just got a PB as well there."
Looking Ahead
Hodgkinson will take to the track again on Thursday afternoon as the semi-finals get underway. As the dominant force of women's 800m in recent years, she hopes to then be part of the line-up for the final on Friday night. However, she faces competition for her third consecutive European title, with Switzerland's Audrey Werro seen as her biggest rival for the crown. Two-time 400m hurdles world champion Femke Broeders-Bol adds further competition, having switched to 800m this season.
