Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has been omitted from the England squad for next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, having chosen to prioritise the European Championships and World Championships this year. The 24-year-old, who won silver at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, will instead compete at the European Championships in Birmingham in August.
Hodgkinson's Decision Explained
In an interview with STV in March, Hodgkinson admitted she is too busy to compete at another event this year. "I'm currently not going to be competing [at the Commonwealth Games]," she said. "I love competing in front of a home crowd but it's such a busy year with Europeans and the Worlds and I've done that many championships before in a year and it is a lot. I just had to decide on which one was best for me but I'll definitely be supporting."
Confirmation Amid Injury Scare
Confirmation of Hodgkinson's absence comes days after she withdrew from the 400m final at the British Athletics Championship in Birmingham, walking off the track in tears after feeling a twinge. Former Team GB star Katharine Merry clarified on social media: "For those asking me and to confirm, Keely isn't missing out. She chose not to compete."
England Squad Details
The 63-strong England athletic squad includes reigning heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who aims for a third consecutive Commonwealth gold after wins in 2018 and 2022. She is joined by Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Jade O'Dowda and debutant Ellen Barber. In the women's 800m, Hodgkinson's friend and Team GB teammate Georgia Hunter Bell will represent England. Dina Asher-Smith is part of the women's 4x100m relay squad defending their title. The men's 4x100m relay squad also aim to defend their title, while Zharnel Hughes seeks to upgrade his 200m silver from 2022 to gold. Long jumper Jazmin Sawyers has been selected for her fourth Commonwealth Games, and shot putter Scott Lincoln aims to improve on his 2022 bronze medal.
