Georgia Hunter Bell has called out Keely Hodgkinson ahead of a potential historic 800m showdown, with the pair among five elite runners expected to compete together soon.
Hunter Bell targets 800m return
Hunter Bell, who skipped the 800m at the European Athletics Championships to focus on the 1,500m where she won gold, is now eager to race over her preferred distance. Her victory at the Commonwealth Games in late July, where she topped the podium for England in Hodgkinson's absence, proved she belongs among world-class competition in both events.
At the European Championships in Birmingham, Audrey Werro took gold ahead of Hodgkinson, with Femke Broeders-Bol claiming bronze. Hunter Bell said: "There is still a lot left of the season. I haven’t done a paced 800m yet, I have one coming up with the speedy girls. I am really excited to throw my hat into the ring there. Had a bit of fomo [fear of missing out] when I saw them on the podium. It’s such an exciting time. I am really happy."
A rare clash of champions
Hunter Bell, who beat world champion Lilian Odira to 800m gold in Glasgow last month, is scheduled to join Hodgkinson, Odira, Werro and Broeders-Bol at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on August 27. If that does not happen, the five could meet at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest next month, where the winner would take £110,000.
"I can’t wait for that, hopefully the big five will come together soon," she said. "We’ve been talking after the races. ‘When are you racing? You should get into this one.’ There’s a good competitive spirit. In a good way, people aren’t swerving opportunities; everyone is trying to do it together."
High stakes and high speed
Despite her gold in Scotland, Hunter Bell's winning time was four-and-a-half seconds slower than Hodgkinson's second-place time in the European final. She believes elevated competition brings out the best in athletes: "Obviously you want to win. If you are in the same race, everyone runs really fast, whoever comes out on top, that’s fun. We’ll see how it goes."
