Keely Hodgkinson delivered something extraordinary, even by her own high standards. After being sidelined for 376 days with recurring hamstring injuries, the Olympic 800m champion made a stunning comeback in scorching Polish heat. She dominated a strong field, clocking 1:54.74 – the world’s fastest time this year by nearly two seconds.
Her performance ranks as the ninth fastest in history and comes at the perfect moment, with the Tokyo World Championships just a month away.
“The track here is lightning fast,” Hodgkinson said of Katowice’s Stadion Slaski. “I planned to start my season today, and everything clicked. After over a year away, I was just happy to race again. But as the event approached, I grew more relaxed. With only this race and Lausanne left before Tokyo, I knew I had to go all out – and I’m thrilled it paid off.”
The 23-year-old had kept her training form under wraps during Friday’s press conference. But she made her ambitions clear, first setting the wavelights for a 1:54.50 finish, then tucking in behind pacemaker Lisanne de Witte. By the bell (56.09), the field was stretched single-file, with Kenya’s Lilian Odira and Botswana’s Oratile Nowe chasing hard. When De Witte stepped aside at 300m, Hodgkinson surged effortlessly, stretching her lead to 10m by the home straight. She crossed the line with her second-fastest ever time, leaping with joy.
Odira claimed second in a personal best (1:56.52), while Nowe set a national record (1:56.72). The race’s quality was evident with seven PBs and two season’s bests across the field.
In other events, Faith Kipyegon came agonizingly close to breaking Wang Junxia’s 3,000m world record (1993). She was on pace until the final kilometer, finishing just 0.96 seconds shy (8:07.04). Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell took third in the 1500m (3:56.00) behind winner Gudaf Tsegay (3:50.52).
FAQS
### **FAQs About Keely Hodgkinson’s 800m Diamond League Comeback Victory**
#### **General Questions**
**Q: Who is Keely Hodgkinson?**
A: Keely Hodgkinson is a British middle-distance runner specializing in the 800m, known for her speed and strong finishes.
**Q: What was significant about her recent Diamond League race?**
A: She won the 800m in her first Diamond League appearance in 376 days, marking a strong comeback.
**Q: Which Diamond League event did she win?**
A: She won the 800m at the **Stockholm Diamond League** in July 2024.
#### **Race Performance & Comeback**
**Q: How long was Keely Hodgkinson out before this race?**
A: She hadn’t raced in a Diamond League event for **376 days** before this win.
**Q: What was her winning time?**
A: She ran **1:57.36**, securing a dominant victory.
**Q: How did she perform compared to her competitors?**
A: She led from the front and won comfortably, showing great form after her break.
#### **Training & Preparation**
**Q: How did Keely prepare for her comeback?**
A: She focused on consistent training, avoiding injuries, and sharpening her race strategy.
**Q: Did she face any challenges during her time off?**
A: Yes, she dealt with minor injuries and opted for a cautious return to stay in peak condition.
#### **Future Expectations**
**Q: What’s next for Keely Hodgkinson?**
A: She’s expected to compete in more Diamond League races and major championships like the **2024 Olympics**.
**Q: Is she a medal contender for the Paris Olympics?**
A: Absolutely—she’s one of the top 800m runners in the world and a strong favorite for a medal.
#### **Advanced Questions**
**Q: How does her 1:57.36 time compare to her personal best?**
A: Her PB is **1:55.77**, so this was a strong performance but not her fastest.
**Q: What’s her usual racing strategy?**
A: She often runs a controlled first lap, then accelerates in
