In a display of sheer dominance that sent ripples through the athletics world, Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson obliterated the field to claim a spectacular victory in the women's 800m at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting.
The 21-year-old Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo unleashed a devastating final kick, powering away from her competitors to stop the clock at a stunning 1:57.38 – a new world-leading time for 2024.
A Masterclass in Middle-Distance Running
From the moment the starting gun fired, Hodgkinson positioned herself perfectly in the lead pack. Running with a composed confidence that belied her years, she bided her time as the pacesetter led the field through a swift first lap.
As the bell sounded for the final circuit, the race began in earnest. Hodgkinson moved seamlessly to the shoulder of the leader, her intentions clear. With 200 metres remaining, the Briton shifted through the gears with a breathtaking acceleration that left her rivals scrambling to respond.
Her winning margin of over a second demonstrated not just victory, but supremacy. France's Renelle Lamote finished a distant second in 1:58.56, while Ethiopia's Habitam Alemu took third.
Fellow Brit Georgia Bell Shines in Career-Best Performance
The meeting proved particularly successful for British athletics, as Georgia Bell delivered the performance of her career in the same event. The 30-year-old, who only returned to the sport in 2022 after a five-year hiatus, smashed her personal best with a time of 1:58.62 to finish fourth.
Bell's remarkable journey from retirement to rubbing shoulders with the world's elite adds another compelling chapter to British middle-distance running, suggesting exciting depth ahead of major championships.
Statement of Intent Ahead of World Championships
Hodgkinson's performance in Lausanne serves as a powerful statement to her competitors with the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon. The time of 1:57.38 not only establishes her as the woman to beat this season but also marks her fourth consecutive Diamond League victory in the 800m.
"I just wanted to come here and get the win," Hodgkinson remarked after the race. "The time is great, and it's always nice to run a world lead. I'm building nicely towards the bigger competitions ahead."
This commanding victory reinforces Hodgkinson's status as Britain's brightest track talent and positions her perfectly for assault on global honours in the coming months.
