Despite knowing she was on course for Olympic gold in the 800m, Keely Hodgkinson’s gaze repeatedly drifted to the enormous screen at the Stade de France, ensuring no threats were present in the Parisian evening. This time, however, nothing could deter her.
As the 22-year-old from Atherton crossed the finish line, her right fist punched the air sharply. A roar erupted from the crowd, marking the release of three years’ worth of pressure and expectations. Suddenly, Britain had its first track and field medal of these Games
“The initial feeling is relief because you work tirelessly for these four days to go just right,” she remarked. “Then it’s the thrill of finally having something I envisioned for three years come together perfectly.”
Hodgkinson might have been excused for feeling a sense of trauma, having returned from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and back-to-back world championships in 2022 and 2023 with three silver medals. Yet, that only motivated her to improve.
As she approached the final bend, three competitors shadowed Hodgkinson, eager to deny her a second silver medal. Among them were world champion Mary Moraa and world indoor champion Tsige Duguma, while Shafiqua Maloney from St Vincent posed a significant threat as well.
But Hodgkinson was playing a waiting game, biding her time until she could seize her moment of glory. With just 100 meters to go, she surged forward with a determination that left her challengers struggling with lactic acid, winning in 1 min 56.72 sec. Duguma secured silver in 1:57.15, while Moraa took home bronze.
“I had a little cheeky glance at the screen just to check,” she said. “But now I am the Olympic champion for the next four years and that title is mine to keep. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I’ve truly matured these last few years. The future looks bright, and I’m so thrilled to bring this victory home.”
“I’ve dedicated so much to this over the past year,” she added. “You can tell how much it means to me by my reaction when I crossed the line. It’s surreal that I finally accomplished it.”
This victory wasn’t the anticipated outcome for Hodgkinson; many thought a slower race would allow others to compete more closely.
Unbeknownst to her competitors, Hodgkinson approached the race buoyed by confidence. Shortly before the Games, she executed her crucial pre-final workout, achieving results better than ever and confirming her readiness to run a high 1:53.
After conserving her energy by resting, she outlined her strategy: take the lead after 300 meters. Maintaining a steady pace, she reached halfway at a modest 58.30 sec before accelerating toward victory.
“I feel like the race could have unfolded in various ways,” she admitted. “I aimed to be at the front and perhaps run faster as we approached the bell. But running a semi-final and final back-to-back is challenging.
“Everyone was fatigued,” she noted. “So, I aimed to save my energy for the final 100 meters. I trusted my instincts. I could feel Mary trailing me down the back straight, but I maintained my calm. I am over the moon.”
“I intended to make it difficult for my rivals, but the race didn’t unfold that way,” she continued. “Probably a bit tired from yesterday; these back-to-back rounds are exhausting. You can’t allow it to affect you. Staying composed matters more than the time; it’s about the medal.”
With this achievement, Hodgkinson becomes the third British woman to earn Olympic gold in the 800m, joining Ann Packer (1964 Tokyo Games) and Kelly Holmes (2004 Athens Games) in the illustrious circle.
This victory also signifies the completion of a journey that began when Hodgkinson watched Jessica Ennis-Hill secure heptathlon gold at the London 2012 Games at just 10 years old. Though she favored swimming at that time, her father insisted she was even more gifted on the track, a claim she initially resisted.
However, upon joining her local athletics club, she realized her natural talent. After enduring multiple near misses, the gold victory brought a sense of overwhelming relief.
“I had to try to tune out the distractions,” she stated. “The Olympics create a lot of buzz. To perform on such a platform is monumental. It’s a cut-throat arena. I might not sleep tonight; I’m incredibly, incredibly happy.”
The hope is that this impressive victory will elevate Hodgkinson into the upper echelons of sport. Her coach Trevor Painter describes her as upbeat and free-spirited, someone known for being fashionably late.
That was clear at the Team GB training camp for Paris, where she strolled around in Chanel sunglasses and her beloved Louis Vuitton handbag. When staff teased her for not wearing official GB attire, Hodgkinson simply smiled and shrugged, just as she managed to her competitors on that unforgettable night in Paris.
