Keely Hodgkinson has offered a classy response to rival Audrey Werro, saying she hopes the Swiss athlete can still make the final after suffering a nasty fall in the European Championships' 800m semi-final.
Fall and Appeal
The runner appeared to trip while leading the race and has since appealed the result in hopes of being reinstated for the final. Werro clutched her stomach as she stayed down. An investigation is now underway to determine whether she will be allowed through to the final.
Hodgkinson's Reaction
"I heard an 'oooh' which is never a good sign but I don't know what it looked like," Hodgkinson told the BBC. Asked if seeing the fall would have changed the way she approached her race, Hodgkinson said: "No not at all. You can't worry about what other people are doing or what happens to them. Obviously it's a real shame. I hope she's okay and I hope she's in the final tomorrow, that would be a really exciting race. All round, happy for myself to go through."
Werro's Statement
Speaking to the BBC, Werro said: "I was feeling really great until the last moment but unfortunately something happened and I was on the ground one second after. I hope I'll be qualified for the final, I hope I'll be able to go (to the final)." When asked if Werro would appeal, she said: "Yes, this is the reason why. I finished the race and it's always important to go until the end. Now we will see what happens."
