Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson marked her gold medal triumph with an exciting night out in Paris’s most infamous district.
The 22-year-old, who specializes in the 800m, took a cab directly from the Stade de France to a bar situated in the lively Pigalle area, known for the iconic Moulin Rouge nightclub.
Wearing Team GB leggings and a matching top, Hodgkinson joined around twenty of her friends and family at the French Flair bar to celebrate her remarkable win.
They enjoyed drinks, danced to music, and reminisced about her extraordinary Paris 2024 achievement.
Keely couldn’t contain her joy as she hopped into a local Uber from the race venue to the heart of Paris.
The taxi driver, Willy, shared with MailOnline: ‘The British gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson was in my taxi. She was so thrilled about winning and eager to meet up with her friends.’
‘I took her to a bar in Pigalle, right in central Paris. She was beaming, smiling, and giving a thumbs up.’
Keely Hodgkinson hit the town after claiming her gold medal at the Olympics – Britain’s first in athletics at this Games
Keely Hodgkinson and trainer Trevor Painter (in glasses) greets a member of her entourage in central Paris
She met friends at the Flare bar in Paris’ Pigale district, which is home to the Moulin Rouge
Keely poses with fans for a picture after picking up her gold medal in the women’s 800m
A friend said Keely was ‘clearly having a great time’ celebrating her victory earlier in the evening
Keely reacts seconds after crossing the finish line at the Stade de France on Monday night in first place
Upon arriving at the pub, Keely was welcomed by about twenty members of her fan club, who wore specially designed white t-shirts that read ‘Team Keely 24’.
The shirts also featured the motto: ‘Where we go one, we go all.’
Additional supporters in her entourage proudly displayed Union flags as they celebrated Keely’s triumph from the terrace of the bar.
She spent around two hours at the bar near Place de Clichy, smiling and engaging in conversation with her friends.
Her father Dean and coach Trevor Painter were always close by as she enjoyed the spotlight.
Claiming Britain’s first athletics gold medal at Paris 2024, Keely triumphed in the women’s 800m final while her proud father looked on.
During a post-race press conference, she mentioned that she would likely struggle to sleep after her victory.
She stated, ‘No one can take that medal from me.’
However, when the bar closed shortly after 2am and her entourage sought another party spot, the dedicated athlete opted for a taxi ride back to her accommodation with her dad.
An onlooker remarked, ‘Keely was undeniably enjoying herself. She was laughing and joking with friends, celebrating her win.’
‘I didn’t notice her with a drink, but she was certainly in high spirits. The excitement was palpable.’
Pigalle is known as the red light district of Paris, famous for inspiring artist Toulouse Lautrec and singer Edith Piaf through their works.
Hodgkinson, now 22, has become a prominent name in athletics over recent years after winning silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She followed that with additional silver medals at the World Championships in both 2022 and 2023.
The golden girl of Team GB also achieved a new personal best of 1:54.61 in London just three weeks ago, making her the sixth-fastest woman of all time in that event.
Despite her numerous accomplishments, Hodgkinson faced challenges during her teenage years, including a battle with a tumor that rendered her partially deaf in one ear.
Though she faced difficulties and even lost her ability to walk temporarily due to her condition, Hodgkinson kept racing as her priority and had always set her sights on Paris 2024.
Keely Hodgkinson gave Britain its first athletics gold medal of the Paris Olympics by winning the women’s 800-meter final yesterday
Her adoring father Dean Hodgkinson holds her in his arms after she won gold at the Olympics
Despite her significant highs and successes on the track, it hasn’t always been plane sailing for Hodgkinson (pictured during childhood)
Although the tumor was non-cancerous, dealing with it proved to be an extremely challenging and emotional experience for Hodgkinson, who was just 13 at the time.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared with Sky Sports earlier this year: ‘I had a mastoidectomy. It wasn’t life-threatening, but it had been growing for ten years.’
‘It crushed through my hearing bones and was almost touching my spine. The surgical risk was deciding whether to remove it or leave it in.’
‘If left intact, it might hit the spine and lead to Facial Palsy. That was quite a frightening thought for a 13-year-old girl, but my bones were already damaged, so they tried to save them, which is why I’ve had hearing issues growing up.’
The mastoidectomy also impacted Hodgkinson’s training, forcing her to limit her workouts in 2015, temporarily affecting her performance at youth level.
The procedure was long, but fortunately it was successful. She took a month off school to recuperate.
Hodgkinson described her recovery as ‘a rather strange experience’ before ultimately returning to full fitness.
‘I couldn’t walk,’ she recounted. ‘It’s strange since it’s related to your ear, balance, and such.’
‘Fortunately, everything went according to plan. They removed it and I’m left with just a bit of hearing loss, which is manageable.’
Hodgkinson, pictured in May this year, faced a tumour battle during her teen years which left her partially deaf in one ear and unable to walk for some time
Hodgkinson (pictured during childhood) was ‘always special’ and was topping county championships across age divisions even as a youngster. One of her early mentors claims the Team GB star ‘sacrificed a lot’ but remained dedicated to the sport
Keely Hodgkinson rests on her father Dean Hodgkinson following a training session on March 17, 2024 in Wigan, England
Hodgkinson (pictured in 2018) had an operation to remove the tumour at the age of 13
Keely Hodgkinson alongside grandmother Carol Hodgkinson, grandfather Joe Hodgkinson, father Dean Hodgkinson and sister Tilly Hodgkinson during a family gathering on May 6, 2024 in Atherton, England
Hodgkinson was considered ‘always exceptional,’ consistently ranking at the top of county championships in various age groups as a child.
Her early mentor, Margaret Galvin, recently shared with the Leigh Journal how Hodgkinson ‘sacrificed a lot’ while remaining committed to athletics.
‘She was always a dedicated athlete, making substantial sacrifices amidst the competing demands of a young person’s life,’ Galvin noted.
‘Keely always prioritized racing; I remember her returning from family outings to compete before heading back out again.’
Galvin emphasized that competing in the Paris Olympics had long been a dream for Hodgkinson, a ‘goal in her diary.’
Now, Hodgkinson has solidified her place in history by joining the ranks of Britain’s golden girls with her remarkable victory in the women’s 800 meters.
She delivered an impressive performance in Paris, securing her long-awaited first global title after earning silver medals at the previous Olympics and two World Championships.
Hodgkinson is one of only three British women to ever win an Olympic gold medal in athletics and the very first since Jessica Ennis-Hill in 2012.
Reflecting on her phenomenal achievement, she commented, ‘It’s surreal to be part of that legacy. Jess was a huge source of inspiration for me, sparking my interest in athletics all those years ago.’
‘To stand alongside her and other legends like Kelly, making history, is incredibly special. The Kellys and Keelys joining forces is such an amazing feeling.’
Hodgkinson’s journey culminated in a memorable race that clocked in at 1 minute, 56 seconds.
While it wasn’t a personal record, it was sufficient; and in that critical moment at the Olympic stage, it affirmed her prowess by defeating Ethiopian Tsige Duguma by 0.43 seconds and world champion Mary Moraa by an additional 0.27 seconds.
Keely Hodgkinson delivered on her status as pre-race favourite to win Olympic 800m gold
Hodgkinson ended her wait for a global title by storming to victory at the Stade de France
The 22-year-old went on a victory lap after securing a result that has been a long time coming
Gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson of Team Great Britain takes a selfie during the Women’s 800m Final on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France
Keely Hodgkinson of Britain celebrates winning gold with friends and family
Hodgkinson had been the silver medallist at the last Olympics and two World Championships
The British star made sure she was first to cross the line and have her moment to celebrate
As she crossed the finish line, Keely momentarily covered her face with her left hand, tears of happiness welling in her eyes, before receiving a sparkling crown from a fan and setting off on a victory lap—a moment that has been years in the making.
Having previously secured silver in the 2021 Olympics and again in the 2022 World Championships, her victories came at narrow margins both times, with a repeat silver medal secured in the 2023 World Championships.
And a word on silver medals: they shine bright, but too many can be burdensome, and their luster can fade. There have been times Hodgkinson has expressed her frustration regarding this.
Arriving on the scene determined, she described this competition as a ‘mission,’ and on that steamy night in France, it was achieved.
‘This is absolutely unreal,’ she exclaimed. ‘I can’t believe I’ve finally accomplished it.’
‘I am the Olympic champion for the upcoming four years, and no one can take that away from me. I’m so thrilled to bring it home.’
Keely Hodgkinson (pictured) yesterday became Team GB’s first female track and field athlete to win gold since Jessica Ennis-Hill
Keely Hodgkinson is pictured with her former school-mate England footballer Ella Toone
Keely Hodgkinson (l) alongside sister Jessica Hodgkinson (r) during a gym training session on May 5, 2024 at Robin Park Stadium in Wigan, England
Keely Hodgkinson is congratulated by her parents Rachel Hodgkinson and Dean Hodgkinson after claiming silver in the women’s 800m final on day nine of the Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 6, 2022 in Birmingham, England
Keely Hodgkinson alongside sister Jessica Hodgkinson (r), mother Rachel Hodgkinson, and father Dean Hodgkinson during a family gathering on May 6, 2024 in Atherton, England
Keely Hodgkinson poses for a portrait in May 2024 at Leeds Beckett University in Leeds
By achieving this milestone, Hodgkinson became Team GB’s first female track and field athlete to win gold since Jessica Ennis-Hill.
‘I’ve worked incredibly hard over the past year for this moment,’ Hodgkinson said. ‘You could see how much it meant to me once I crossed the line. I can’t believe I’ve actually done it.’
‘Mary (Moraa) was right behind me on the back straight, but I kept my composure and reached the finish first this time. I am now the Olympic champion and nobody can take that from me. I’m just thrilled to have brought it home.’
When asked if the gold would transform her life, the athlete from Atherton replied, ‘I believe so. I’m unsure what it will lead to, but I’m more prepared now than I was after Tokyo. A bit older, perhaps a little blonder. I’m ready.’
Hodgkinson’s journey was ignited when she watched Ennis-Hill on Super Saturday, and one can’t help but wonder how many aspiring athletes she will inspire in turn.
Looking forward, it’s also interesting to speculate on how far she can progress, knowing her coaches and traditional wisdom suggest she’s still five years away from her peak.
But those discussions can wait; for now, Hodgkinson’s remarkable accomplishments are already worthy of great praise. Invitations to greatness abound at an Olympics, as long as one is both willing and ready to rise to the occasion during critical moments.
For some, those opportunities become a ladder to greatness, while others find themselves lost in an abyss of pressure.
Hodgkinson observed Molly Caudery in the pole vault earlier in the day. Greatness had beckoned, and she had rightfully earned her invitation. However, the weight of the moment overwhelmed her. Yet, Hodgkinson was unperturbed.
With greatness in sight, she delivered an exhilarating performance.
Admittedly, she benefited from Athing Mu’s absence, who had not advanced through the US trials, as their thrilling rivalry came to a halt. Nevertheless, even Mu has never matched Hodgkinson’s best of 1:54.61 achieved earlier this summer, and none of the competitors, including Moraa, have come close in the 2024 season.
Hodgkinson wasted no time asserting herself in the race. It was an unmistakable message: keep up if you can.
Hodgkinson (pictured during childhood) has now cemented herself in history after she joined the list of British golden girls by storming to Olympic 800 metres glory
Hodgkinson had seen off the challenge of her main rival, world champion Mary Moraa
Keely Hodgkinson (r) poses with Dame Kelly Holmes at Sport City Stadium on May 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. At the age of 19, Hodgkinson won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, breaking the British record set by Kelly Holmes
Keely Hodgkinson alongside her father Dean Hodgkinson and sister Jessica Hodgkinson following a training run on May 14, 2023 in Rivington, England
In a relatively slow opening lap, clocking in at 58.30 seconds, the pace was set by Hodgkinson. Unlike 2021, she led the race confidently and, with no restrictions like in previous years, she was fully aware of her stamina against her competitors.
However, with Moraa trailing closely behind her, it remained a competitive race; the Kenyan is known for her impressive 400m sprint abilities and had surpassed Hodgkinson in prior meetings. Despite this, the Wigan star showed no signs of panic, skillfully adjusting her pace whenever Moraa attempted to surge.
Every surge from Moraa was met with an equal or greater response from Hodgkinson, leading to a decisive break as the race neared its conclusion. As the meters passed, she swiftly widened the gap, leaving Moraa in the dust.
Kudos to the other competitors who pushed their limits to try and catch up.
But none could match the athlete who decisively seized control of both the final and her path to greatness.
