Britain’s Star Sprinter Sees European Championship 800m as ‘Race of the Championships'
Birmingham will host a thrilling 800m final between Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson and Swiss rival Audrey Werro at the upcoming European Athletics Championships in August. According to reporting by The Independent - Sport, Hodgkinson, an Olympic gold medallist, believes this matchup could define the competition.
The race promises to be both thrilling and unprecedented for a home crowd, as it gathers some of the world’s top sprinters. Werro currently holds the fastest time globally at 1:53.80 and has declared her intentions to break the 43-year-old world record. Hodgkinson, the European champion from Glasgow in 2018, is not taking any chances as she aims for a second title.
Britain’s Champion Stresses Preparedness
Hodgkinson admitted that the Stockholm race, where Werro edged her out, took her by surprise. 'I didn’t know what she was capable of at that point,' Hodgkinson stated, adding that she’s determined to focus on her own performance.
''I don’t think anyone knows what Audrey is going to do in Birmingham; I just plan to control my race and make sure I’m ready for the final.' The British runner also mentioned that defending her European 800m title means as much as winning at the Olympics, adding she hopes it will be a historic moment in home soil.
World’s Top Women Sprinters Converge at Birmingham
In addition to Hodgkinson and Werro, the event also boasts an impressive lineup with French record-holder Anais Bourgoin and Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol. All four have run times that dipped below 1:56 this year, creating high anticipation for an exciting competition.
Training Partner’s Struggle and Social Media Criticism
Hodgkinson’s training partner Georgia Hunter Bell is competing in the 1500m instead of the 800m. However, Hodgkinson revealed that social media criticism can be both cruel and humorous: “We saw a TikTok about me being paid not to compete at Commonwealth Games, but I didn’t get that money so where’s it going?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Keely Hodgkinson break the world record?
Both Hodgkinson and Werro have declared their intentions to break Jarmila Kratochvilova's 43-year-old world record, but only time will tell who will achieve it.
How do you think Audrey Werro’s performance will affect British sprinting?
The competition from a Swiss athlete like Werro is expected to push Hodgkinson and other British sprinters to new heights. It's an exciting prospect for the future of the sport in the UK.