Katarina Johnson-Thompson has shown her support for fellow Team GB athlete Keely Hodgkinson after a thrilling week at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Keely reflected on her performance after claiming a silver medal in the Women's 800m Final.
Silver in the 800m Final
The 24-year-old didn't shy away from showing her disappointment after losing out against Swiss rival Audrey Werro. Werro overtook Hodgkinson on the back straight in the first lap and held on, winning in a championship-record one minute and 54.81 seconds. The bronze medal went to the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol.
Speaking after the event, Keely said: “Yeah, that last 50m, I really thought I had it. But she’s a strong athlete. Sometimes you want it so much, and sometimes in terms of real parts it might just not be enough.”
She added: "Yeah, life goes on. I’ll go back and train, and just hope I get it next time."
Despite settling for second place, Keely, who hails from Atherton, Greater Manchester, said she will still remember the competition as one of her "favourites".
Social Media Support
Sharing some snaps on Instagram from inside the Alexander Stadium, Keely said: "This will still go down as one of my favourite championships."
She added: "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 start line soon."
Fans rushed to the comments to send their love and support, including some familiar names.
Georgia Hunter-Bell, who claimed gold during Sunday's tense 1500m race, said: "Queen always" with a red love heart and fire emoji. Femke Bol also added red love heart emojis.
KJT's Message
Katarina Johnson-Thompson also added to the comments, posting a goat emoji which represents the "greatest of all time". The heptathlete from Liverpool finished 21st in her event.
The 33-year-old has led an inspiring career as she has fought back from injury to achieve gold medals in the world Championships and a silver at the Olympics.
She also shared her own post to reflect on the event on home turf. She said: "Difficult to put into words what the last few days have been like.
"Being out there but not at your best is such a challenge. I placed so much importance on this competition and it’s taken so much to make it to the start line that I had to see it through.
It’s never what you want as a competitor, however I’m proud that I could complete the heptathlon in a stadium that means so much to me.
Thank you so much to the team of people that got me to the start line and over the finish line. I’m lucky to have people who are willing to put so much time and effort into me fulfilling my dreams. Not just this season but throughout my entire career.
Thank you to all the fans inside the stadium that showed up and supported. Congratulations to all the hep girls, such an amazing heptathlon to be a part of with depth and talent across every event!"
The post was liked by thousands of people, including her close friend and fellow Scouser Jodie Comer.
