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Hodgkinson eyes 800m world record after Olympic gold

📅 Aug 10, 2026⏱ 2 min read💬 0 comments

Keely Hodgkinson, Great Britain's Olympic 800m champion, has set her sights on breaking the world record as she cements her status as the dominant force in women's middle-distance running.

Record in reach

The 24-year-old has been running consistently under 1:55 this season, putting the long-standing world record within realistic range. Athletics experts believe her combination of speed and endurance make her uniquely suited to challenge the mark.

Hodgkinson's coach has confirmed they are targeting specific races where conditions could be optimal for a record attempt, with pacemakers and weather conditions factored into planning.

Dominant season

Since winning Olympic gold in Paris, Hodgkinson has continued to show the consistency that marks out truly elite athletes. Her training camp work this summer has focused on building the specific endurance required for sub-1:53 running.

Rivals from Kenya, Ethiopia and the United States have been watching her progression closely, aware that the British runner has raised the bar for the entire field.

British athletics resurgence

Hodgkinson's success is part of a broader resurgence in British middle-distance running, with a new generation of talented athletes emerging behind her. The sport's governing body has credited increased investment in junior programmes with producing this depth of talent.

Her popularity has also boosted interest in athletics among young British girls, with participation numbers rising significantly since her Olympic triumph.

Source: BBC News
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