Olympic Gold Medalist Keely Hodgkinson Pulls Out of London Meet
British 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has confirmed she will not compete in the upcoming London Diamond League on July 19, opting instead to continue her recovery from injury as she eyes a strong return at the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
The 23-year-old, who won Olympic gold last summer with a remarkable 1:56.72 finish in Paris, has not appeared in any outdoor races this season due to a hamstring tear she sustained in February.
Recovery Still in Progress After Minor Setback
Though Hodgkinson is now back to full training, her team has chosen to postpone her 2024 season debut. A small setback in June slightly delayed her return, and with the World Championships approaching in September, they believe it’s best not to rush her comeback.
Her main goal is to arrive in peak form for Tokyo, where she’ll aim to improve on her silver medals from the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
No Return Yet to London’s Iconic Track
Fans were hopeful for Hodgkinson’s return to London Stadium, where she set a British record of 1:54.61 in 2024. However, the opportunity to chase another global medal has taken priority, meaning she will skip racing on the same track this month.
This decision follows another recent high-profile withdrawal—Norwegian 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who was also set to race in London but pulled out due to injury.
Looking Ahead: Tokyo the Big Target
While her absence is a blow to the London meet, which is the 11th stop on this year’s Diamond League tour, Hodgkinson’s focus remains crystal clear: to return stronger and possibly win her first World Championship gold in Tokyo this September.
Keely Hodgkinson withdraws from the 2024 London Diamond League to focus on full recovery and preparation for the World Championships in Tokyo. The Olympic champion targets peak performance in September.
Be the first to comment