Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has been omitted from the England squad for next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after choosing to prioritise the European Championships. 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 admitted in an interview with STV in March that her packed schedule forced her to make difficult choices. '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.'
Her absence was confirmed days after she withdrew from the 400m final at the British Athletics Championship in Birmingham, citing a precautionary measure after feeling a 'twinge'. Former Team GB star Katharine Merry clarified on social media that Hodgkinson chose not to compete, rather than being snubbed.
Reigning heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson is included in the 63-strong England squad, aiming for a third consecutive Commonwealth gold. She will be joined by Jade O'Dowda and debutant Ellen Barber. Hodgkinson's friend and rival Georgia Hunter Bell will represent England in the 800m, while Dina Asher-Smith is part of the women's 4x100m relay squad.
