Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson said becoming the women’s Olympic 800m champion on Monday after a succession of silver medals in major finals was a “life changer.”
The 22-year-old produced a thrilling gun-to-tape run to win, ending any fears she would be a runner-up once again.
Hodgkinson took silver in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, followed by finishing second in the 2022 and 2023 world championships as well as in the Commonwealth Games two years ago.
She said that even an hour after her impressive victory at a packed Stade de France, her achievement had yet to “sink in.”
Keely Hodgkinson expressed that winning the silver medal in Tokyo was life-changing for her, and becoming the Olympic champion is an incredible achievement that no one can take away from her. She believes she is much better prepared for the aftermath than she was after Tokyo.
Hodgkinson timed 1min 56.72sec for victory, with Ethiopian Tsige Duguma claiming silver in 1:57.15 and Kenya’s Mary Moraa taking bronze (1:57.42).
She said that the pressure was definitely there after the several silvers.
Keely Hodgkinson acknowledged feeling the pressure, recognizing the strong British Olympic spirit and her status as a favorite after her personal best in London.
She emphasized that nothing is guaranteed in sports, noting how even favorites and medal contenders can falter, making the competition extremely tough and ruthless.
Hodgkinson, who had family in the stadium, including her parents Dean and Rachel, said she had used a psychologist as one of several measures to get her in the right groove.
“To deliver on a big stage is super, super tough, and I respect anyone who’s done it,” she said.
Keely Hodgkinson noted that her approach was different this time, emphasizing a greater reliance on her psychologist to help manage the mental aspect of competition.
She recognized the effort required to achieve her goal and expressed her happiness with the outcome.
Eyes on Kratochvilova Record
Hodgkinson said she had tried to shut out thoughts of her rivals bearing down on her.
Hodgkinson acknowledged that she couldn’t control her competitors’ actions. She felt that as long as she gave her all, she would be satisfied with the outcome, regardless of the result.
She believed she would be hard to beat and that Moraa would need to perform exceptionally well.
Hodgkinson set a personal best just prior to the Games of 1:54.61 and says her sights are on trying to break the 41-year-old world record of Jarmila Kratochvilova (1:53.28).
“It’s definitely another goal,” she said. “Whether it comes off or not, like I say, nothing is guaranteed.
“I’d love to give it a good go. I feel like there is more in there.”
Hodgkinson becomes the third British woman to win Olympic 800m gold after Anne Packer in 1964 and Kelly Holmes in 2004.
Holmes was in the crowd, although Hodgkinson said the 2004 champion was finding it hard to keep her language clean.
Hodgkinson noted that her rival was excited and trying to contain her emotions.
She admired her rival’s energy and felt inspired to emulate her success. The moment symbolized a connection between the legacy of Kelly Holmes and her own achievements.
With AFP
