Keely Hodgkinson is poised to shoulder the responsibility of being Team GB’s emblematic figure by aiming for Olympic gold. She enters Paris with a strong belief: that Britain possesses some of its “most talented and mentally driven” athletes.
The remarkable 22-year-old exudes a free-spirited vibe off the track and is an exceptional competitor on it. This week, she’s been seen at the British preparation camp sporting Chanel sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton handbag. While some staff have noted that it’s not official GB gear, she has brushed it off. In terms of her competitive edge, however, there’s no doubt about her talent.
Hodgkinson demonstrated her incredible form by clinching the 800m title at the London Diamond League in 1min 54.61sec last week, making her the sixth fastest woman in history. She is confident in her ability to handle the pressure of being one of Team GB’s key athletes.
“I won’t deny that it crosses my mind, but what occurred last weekend was fantastic and boosts my confidence,” she shares. “Going into London, I aimed to give it my best shot. To shave 0.7sec off my national record is truly wonderful.
“The way I executed it, leading the race the entire time, indicates there’s more potential there. It reflects the effort I’ve put in and how much I desire this.”
At just 10 years old, Hodgkinson watched Jessica Ennis-Hill triumph in heptathlon gold at London 2012, inspiring her to pursue athletics seriously. Now, she finds herself as a focal point just before the Games.
“If anyone regards me as the poster girl like she was, that’s quite a significant accomplishment,” Hodgkinson says, recalling her previous 800m silver medal win at the Tokyo Games as a teen. “I feel honored to be in this position. Following in her footsteps is an incredible tribute. I hope to achieve similar success and bring home the gold.”
Her confidence reflects the spirit of the entire British team. When asked if she anticipated numerous medals at these Games, she replied: “I certainly believe so. We have some of the most gifted and mentally determined athletes we’ve seen in quite a while.
“There are countless medal prospects among us, many heading to finals. Anything is possible. Don’t solely focus on the expected medallists; lower-ranked competitors can surprise everyone.”
after newsletter promotion
What makes Hodgkinson’s recent achievements particularly noteworthy is her recovery from an injury at the start of the year, which caused her to miss the world indoor championships in Glasgow, alongside a bout of illness during the European championships in June.
“Much of this year has been about perseverance,” she explained. “It hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve faced numerous challenges both on and off the track. To see everything come together has been incredibly gratifying.
“I’ve put in the hard work, maintained focus, and even when injuries sidelined me for a period, it felt like a string of setbacks. However, the past 10 days have significantly bolstered my confidence to really go for it.”
