Keely Hodgkinson plans to celebrate her Olympic gold medal in the 800m event with a family vacation before setting her sights on a time that could bring her closer to Jarmila Kratochvilova’s longstanding world record.
This was communicated by Hodgkinson’s coaches, the husband-and-wife duo Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, who meticulously prepared the 22-year-old for her triumph in Paris. While they acknowledge that Kratochvilova’s impressive mark of 1 minute 53.28 seconds is a tall order for the moment, they believe Hodgkinson possesses the talent and ambition to break it in the future.
“She’s heading to Marbella with her family,” Painter said. “She mentioned she wants to go there to unwind. After that, we’ll focus on the Diamond League final where we’ll have an opportunity with a pacemaker. She’s confident she can run 1.53. The world record is in the low 1.53 range, so it may take a few years to reach it.”
“We analyze numbers,” Painter continued, indicating that their 800m athletes engage in numerous 200m and 400m repetitions during training. “We’re driven by data. If you do this in practice, it typically leads to this outcome. Keely can achieve it, unlike some others, which can lead to anxiety and pressure. The London Diamond League was similar; she was asserting that she could definitely run 1.54.”
The esteemed coaches manage the M11 Track Club in Manchester, named after the postcode of Sportcity, where their expanding group of athletes trains, including Team GB 1500m star Georgia Bell. Meadows, a highly regarded 800m runner herself, would have likely claimed more than three world championship medals—one silver and two bronzes—if not for competing during an era marked by Russian doping.
Painter noted that they had lunch with Hodgkinson before the race to discuss strategies. “The BOA has a lodge just 15 minutes from the village, so she’s been getting a ride there for meals because the options are considerably better than in the village,” he explained. “She hasn’t eaten in the village at all.”
“She felt really assured,” added Meadows. “I discussed various scenarios with her. I mentioned that some might start off quickly only to slow down the pace. She dismissed that notion entirely. ‘No, that won’t happen.’ I was merely trying to get her to think critically.”
Throughout the race, the coaches experienced contrasting emotions. “I tend to stay quite calm, calmer than Jen,” Painter stated. “I just have faith.”
“I was not calm at all,” Meadows admitted. “I was anxious because the pace was slow. I didn’t want to face Keely’s disappointment if she ended up with silver again. I felt she was complicating things unnecessarily.” Meadows added: “She’s very straightforward.”
Painter mentioned that Hodgkinson is often tardy for training. “We have a saying that 15 minutes is acceptable,” he joked. “Sometimes it stretches to 20 or 25 minutes, and she strolls in all smiles. I’m not too concerned; Keely has a free spirit.”
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“By trying to confine her or dictating that she must conform, she wouldn’t be the same person. This free-spirited attitude is a vital aspect of her identity.”
Painter also recognized Hodgkinson’s parents, Dean and Rachel, who were present to watch the race alongside 100 family members and friends.
“They all wore matching T-shirts,” Painter remarked. “Dean designed and had them made. Her parents are exceptionally hard-working. Her dad has always encouraged her to believe she can achieve anything. She possesses strong values and truly deserves every success after a challenging year marked by injuries.”
