Keely Hodgkinson has cemented her reputation as Team GB’s star athlete by becoming just the third British woman to secure gold in the 800m at the Paris Olympics.
The 22-year-old showcased her strength in the final race in Paris, claiming her first global title by outpacing Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and her long-time competitor, Kenyan runner Mary Moraa.
With this victory, Hodgkinson joins the ranks of only the 10th British woman to win an Olympic athletics gold medal, marking the first such achievement since Jessica Ennis-Hill in 2012. The medal ceremony provided a fitting opportunity for her to revel in this extraordinary success.
Hodgkinson’s awe-inspiring Olympic gold places her alongside legends as the world No.1 matched the feats of Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Ann Packer in 1964.
In light of her achievement, former Team GB champions have shared their thoughts on Hodgkinson’s victory and what lies ahead for the emerging talent.
Keely Hodgkinson has cemented her status as Team GB’s star athlete by winning the 800m
Hodgkinson showcased her prowess in the 800m final in Paris, achieving a global title
DAME KELLY HOLMES: People were hanging out of windows to see me after Athens… I hope track star Keely is ready to feel like a celebrity!
Keely may not be prepared for the overwhelming attention that follows her phenomenal 800m gold win.
I might have a bias, but athletics has always been the pinnacle of the Olympics — and Keely rose to the occasion, embracing the weight of expectations as the fastest woman in the world this year in that distance.
All eyes were on Keely, and she delivered, becoming the third British woman to clinch Olympic 800m gold — the last being myself in 2004!
Keely was recognized and respected, but unless one closely follows athletics, they might not have grasped the caliber of athlete she is before Monday. For many, she is a new name, but the Olympics’ exposure will elevate her profile significantly.
While athletes generally shy away from celebrity status, they do cherish recognition for their sporting achievements. Winning an Olympic gold will certainly transform how people perceive Keely.
She may take a holiday now, but I doubt Keely is aware of the level of attention that awaits her and her family when they return to the UK.
Hodgkinson fulfilled her pre-race favorite status to achieve a remarkable Olympic gold
Dame Kelly Holmes (left) spent time with Hodgkinson prior to the start of the Games
Holmes achieved double Olympic gold in track events at the 2004 Olympics
Upon returning home as a double Olympic champion in 2004, individuals were stopping on the motorway, leaning out of windows and cars. I felt like a massive pop star. It was surreal, and I thought people were acting out of control.
Keely will likely experience this attention multiplied, especially with the influence of social media today, which was nonexistent during my era as an athlete.
She just needs to remain grounded with her friends, family, and those who have supported her from the start — that is crucial.
Holmes’ success in Athens led to a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace
I’ve emphasized to her the necessity of having a strong team behind her and to tackle everything that comes her way, though enjoying the moment is equally important.
I hope she takes the time to celebrate when she returns home — and she’d better send me an invite to the celebration!
ANN PACKER: They claimed the 800m wasn’t suitable for women in my day… can you imagine telling Keely that!
Congratulations, Keely. What an incredible performance. With all the pressure, she excelled and demonstrated she is in a league of her own.
It has been 60 years since I secured gold in the 800 meters, which feels like a lifetime ago. We’ve seen Kelly Holmes carry the torch forward, and now Keely has raised the bar even higher. It was a joy to watch.
Reflecting on Tokyo in 1964, I went there to compete in the 400m.
I entered as the fastest in the world that year and set an Olympic record in the first two rounds, but ultimately lost to the better athlete that day, Betty Cuthbert from Australia.
Ann Packer earned Team GB gold in the women’s 800m at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964
Packer (middle) faced skepticism regarding women’s suitability for the 800m in her racing days
The 800m event began the next day, and I believe I had only participated in a couple of races at that distance, so my expectations were minimal — I lacked understanding of the tactics but knew I had a solid sprint finish I wished to utilize. I ended up setting a world record in the final, and it was a magical time in my life.
At that time, the 800m was still a relatively new event, and many believed it wasn’t suitable for ladies — too much sweating and panting. Can you imagine if anyone said that to Keely today? What a phenomenal athlete she is.
Winning that gold medal clearly meant the world to her, as it once did for me. The sport has evolved, but we were deeply committed despite it all. I was a teacher then and trained at the track before school, but athletes didn’t receive the same level of support back then. That was simply how it was.
Hodgkinson will likely attract numerous endorsement deals following her gold medal triumph
I recall at the time I won, I secured endorsements from Heinz — ‘Golden girl, golden beans’ — and Bovril.
While the circumstances differ today, I was genuinely pleased. The Bovril endorsement provided assistance for my husband (the late Robbie Brightwell, who captained the British athletics team) and me to furnish our home.
Outside of the Olympic scene, the prizes I received were quite different — I would get various tea sets, saucepans, and Pyrex dishes! I am certain Keely’s experience will be quite distinct, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
She is a stunning runner and makes it appear effortless, although we all know the tremendous effort required for such performance. She truly stands out, and I am overjoyed for her.
