Defiant Hodgkinson says home European title would mean as much as Olympic gold

Keely Hodgkinson, the 24‑year‑old Olympic champion, has enjoyed a standout 2026 season that includes breaking the long‑standing indoor 800m satellite record, claiming her first satellite title and improving her British outdoor mark. Her progress, however, hit a snag at the Stockholm Diamond League where she settled for second behind Audrey Werro. Werro’s run marked the fastest time since the outdoor satellite record was set 43 years ago, and she has since lowered the mark even further. A muscle “twinge” forced Hodgkinson to withdraw from the 400m final at the British Championships in June. She later finished second to satellite champion Lilian Odira in Eugene, competing with her knees heavily bandaged after a nasty fall in training. The women’s 800m field has been heightened by the presence of Femke Broeders‑Bol, the Dutch two‑time satellite 400m hurdles champion who has switched events this season. Consequently, Friday night’s showdown in Birmingham has been billed as the must‑watch race of the championships. Reflecting on her current form, Hodgkinson said, “I consciousness successful a bully place, evidently determination was a pugnacious spot successful June and July, but I'm happy, I'm excited to vie and I conscionable deliberation it'll bring retired the champion of me,” Hodgkinson said. Discussing her earlier encounter with Werro, she added, “On her erstwhile gathering with Werro, she added: "I deliberation radical [are] trying to marque maine consciousness similar it was a nonaccomplishment and it truly wasn't. "It was a British record, my fastest clip ever, and I'm going to punctual myself of that due to the fact that I'm arrogant of that. "I had a tricky fewer weeks but, honestly, I conscionable deliberation it's truly bully that Audrey has travel connected truly good and Femke is moving well. It's going to beryllium a truly bully race. Let's spot what happens."""