Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson has boldly declared that she feels "closest" to shattering the women's 800m outdoor world record, a monumental achievement that has eluded athletes for over four decades. This announcement comes fresh from her stunning indoor world record performance in Lievin, which has fuelled her ambition to tackle what is widely regarded as the longest-standing world record in track athletics.
The Formidable Legacy of Jarmila Kratochvilova
The outdoor world record for the women's 800m has been held by Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova since July 1983, when she clocked an astonishing time of one minute 53.28 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Munich. This record has stood unchallenged for nearly 43 years, making it a legendary benchmark in the sport. Hodgkinson, now 23 years old, views breaking this record as a career-defining moment that would cement her legacy among the all-time greats of athletics.
Hodgkinson's Confidence and Determination
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Hodgkinson expressed her unwavering belief in the possibility of achieving this feat. She stated, "I think the outdoor record would be cemented GOAT (greatest of all time). It's stood for a long time and been a long time since anyone's been able to get near it. I do think it's possible. It's a difficult record and a reason why it has stood for 40 odd years."
She further elaborated, "It's literally the oldest record on track so it will be a real accomplishment to get near it and hopefully break it. I think this is the closest I've felt near it. I do really believe that we can break it, but a lot of things have got to come together." This statement underscores her realistic yet optimistic approach, acknowledging the challenges while maintaining a strong focus on the goal.
A Stellar Career Built on Consistency and Resilience
Keely Hodgkinson's journey to this point has been marked by remarkable achievements and resilience. She burst onto the international scene by winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, quickly establishing herself as a force in middle-distance running. Her success continued with silver medals at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2022, followed by another silver at the 2023 World Championships.
The pinnacle of her career so far came at the 2024 Olympics, where she finally secured the top step of the podium with a gold medal. However, her path has not been without obstacles; she faced injury struggles last year, which limited her to a third-place finish at the World Championships. Despite this setback, Hodgkinson has returned to full fitness this year, demonstrating her determination and ability to bounce back stronger.
Looking Ahead to Future Challenges
With her health restored and confidence soaring after the indoor world record, Hodgkinson is now setting her sights on the ultimate prize in women's 800m running. Her focus on breaking Kratochvilova's record highlights her ambition to push the boundaries of the sport and inspire future generations. As she prepares for upcoming competitions, the athletics world watches with anticipation, eager to see if she can make history by toppling one of track and field's most enduring records.
