Keely Hodgkinson has responded to her silver-medal finish at the European Athletics Championships with a defiant social media message, insisting there is 'still so much left to do' this season. The 24-year-old Briton was beaten by Switzerland's Audrey Werro in the 800m final at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Friday, finishing 0.20 seconds behind the Swiss athlete.
Hodgkinson's Positive Outlook
Despite missing out on a third consecutive European gold, Hodgkinson took to social media to express her gratitude and optimism. "This will still go down as one of my favourite championships," she wrote. "So much fun competing this week in front of that home crowd! Thank you to all that came down to support!! We felt all the love!! Still so much left to do this season!! See you back on that startline soon."
This was the second time in just over two months that Hodgkinson has finished behind Werro, following a Diamond League meeting in June. However, the Atherton-born runner appears undeterred, with a rematch already scheduled for next Thursday (August 27) in Zurich, where Werro will compete on home soil.
Reflecting on the Race
Speaking after the race, Hodgkinson acknowledged the quality of her opponent. "It doesn't sting because I was beaten by a great athlete," she said. "I think I put together a pretty good race. I don't think I did anything wrong. The thing about the 800m is you have a million different ways of going in your head but I covered every move well. I just didn't have enough."
She noted how close the finish was, briefly believing she had secured the win. "In that last 50, I thought I had it. But she's a strong athlete."
Looking Ahead
Hodgkinson, who won Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games, currently trails Werro by just two points in the Diamond League standings, with two events remaining in Zurich and Brussels. Her competitive spirit was evident as she removed her silver medal during a post-race interview, a gesture that underscored her relentless pursuit of victory.
