Keely Hodgkinson Sets New British 800m Record at London Athletics Meet

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Keely Hodgkinson returned to the London Athletics Meet on July 20, 2024, to achieve a stunning personal victory in the women’s 800m event. The 22-year-old athlete made headlines by shattering the British record with a phenomenal time of 1:54.61, leaving the crowd in awe.

This accomplishment is not only a significant milestone for Hodgkinson but also positions her as a frontrunner for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Her impressive performance elevated her from tenth to sixth place in the world all-time rankings, surpassing esteemed competitors such as Athing Mu, Maria Mutola, and Tatyana Kazankina.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week,” admitted Hodgkinson. “London really knows how to put on a crowd. I just have to stay focused now for the Olympics and go and get the job done.” Her determination for the Olympic season is palpable, as she aims to transform her previous global silver medals into a much-coveted gold.

Hodgkinson was not the only British competitor to make waves at this meet. Jemma Reekie also shone brightly, finishing the race with a personal best time of 1:55.61, propelling her into second place on the UK all-time lists, just ahead of the legendary Kelly Holmes. Completing a triumphant British podium was Georgia Bell, who stepped down from her usual 1500m event to clock in a new personal best of 1:56.28, securing her position in fourth place on the UK rankings.

The atmosphere continued to electrify as Matt Hudson-Smith made headlines of his own, demolishing the European 400m record with a blistering time of 43.74 seconds. This phenomenal achievement places the 29-year-old athlete on equal footing in the twelfth spot on the world all-time rankings, solidifying his status as a major contender for Olympic gold.

Hudson-Smith’s performance was not only a personal victory but a clear indication of his potential heading into the Olympics, especially after securing a silver medal in Budapest last summer. “To run 43 seconds before Paris is exactly what me, my coach, and team were aiming for,” he expressed. “The proof is in the pudding, and I’m excited.”

The excitement didn’t stop there, as Femke Bol of the Netherlands showcased her talent in the 400m hurdles, finishing with a meeting record of 51.30 seconds, slightly shy of her European record. Her performance still resonated strongly with the audience, indicating her formidable capabilities unfolding toward Paris.

Meanwhile, in an outstanding performance, Nickisha Pryce of Jamaica set a new Jamaican record of 48.57 seconds in the women’s 400m, elevating her to seventh place on the world all-time rankings. In a highly competitive field, she emerged triumphant in front of European champion Natalia Kaczmarek, who also set a Polish record of 48.90 seconds for her efforts.

The British 4x100m relay team proved their mettle as they matched the national record with a time of 41.55 seconds, equal to their Olympic feat from Tokyo three years prior. The excitement peaked as the GB women’s team triumphed over Olympic hosts France by a wide margin, showcasing their preparation heading to Paris.

On the men’s side of the relay, however, the British team faced disappointment as the A team failed to finish due to a baton mishap in the final exchange. Concurrently, Noah Lyles illustrated his dominance in the men’s 100m with a swift time of 9.81 seconds, marking him as a significant force to be reckoned with as the Olympic Games approach.

The crowd witnessed Gabby Thomas edging out the women’s 200m, recording a meeting record of 21.82 seconds while Dina Asher-Smith finished in third with a season’s best of 22.07 seconds. Asher-Smith expressed a mix of frustration and relief over her performance, noting it was her best time in two years.

In the field events, Leonardo Fabbri made headlines by defeating world record-holder Ryan Crouser in the shot put, throwing an impressive distance of 22.52 meters. The upset added another layer of anticipation for the upcoming Olympic competition.

The meet also showcased emerging talents, such as 20-year-old Sam Reardon, who made a significant breakthrough in the 400m, drastically improving his personal best to 44.70 seconds, highlighting a bright future ahead for the young runner.

The para-athletics events displayed inspiring performances. Zak Skinner established a British record in the ambulant men’s 100m with a stellar time of 10.84 seconds, while Sophie Hahn secured a decisive victory in the women’s ambulant 100m, clocking 12.55 seconds.

The support from fans at the London Stadium made the event even more memorable, as competitors expressed their gratitude for the exhilarating atmosphere. Athletes like Hodgkinson and Hudson-Smith thrived under the electric vibes, a promising reminder that the stage is set for spectacular performances at the Paris Olympics.

As the track and field community looks forward to the Olympic Games, the performances witnessed at this year’s London Athletics Meet serve as both a fitting tribute to the sport’s tenacity and a sign of the immense potential waiting to be unleashed in Paris.