Hodgkinson Eyes Historic 800m World Record After Indoor Triumph
Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson has revealed she feels closer than ever to conquering the women’s 800-metre outdoor world record, a feat she believes would cement her status as one of the greatest athletes in track and field history. This ambition comes hot on the heels of her recent, electrifying shattering of the indoor world record in Liévin.
The current outdoor world record, a formidable mark of 1 minute 53.28 seconds, has stood for an astonishing 43 years, set by Jarmila Kratochvílová in July 1983 at the World Athletics Championships in Munich. It remains the longest-standing world record in the entire discipline of track athletics, a testament to Kratochvílová’s extraordinary performance.
Hodgkinson, a rising star in the sport, expressed her determination and belief in her ability to challenge this iconic record. “I think the outdoor record would be cemented GOAT (greatest of all time),” she told BBC Sport. “It’s stood for a long time and been a long time since anyone’s been able to get near it. I do think it’s possible. It’s a difficult record and a reason why it has stood for 40 odd years.”
She continued, highlighting the significance of the challenge: “It’s literally the oldest record on track so it will be a real accomplishment to get near it and hopefully break it. I think this is the closest I’ve felt near it. I do really believe that we can break it, but a lot of things have got to come together.”
A Career of Consistent Excellence
The 23-year-old athlete has already amassed an impressive collection of accolades since bursting onto the international scene. Her journey to the pinnacle of her sport began with a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a remarkable debut on the Olympic stage.
This initial success was followed by a string of strong performances in subsequent years:
- 2022: Hodgkinson secured further silver medals at both the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games, demonstrating her consistent ability to compete at the highest level.
- 2023: She continued her medal-winning streak with another silver at the World Championships, proving her resilience and dedication.
- 2024: The year marked a significant milestone as Hodgkinson finally claimed an Olympic gold medal.
However, her 2023 season was not without its challenges. Hodgkinson battled with injuries, which impacted her performance, leading to a third-place finish at the World Championships. Despite these setbacks, her recent return to full fitness and her groundbreaking indoor record signal a powerful resurgence.
The Pursuit of a Legacy-Defining Record
The women’s 800m outdoor world record represents more than just a fast time; it symbolises an era of dominance and a benchmark that has eluded athletes for decades. For Hodgkinson, the opportunity to even approach this record is a significant marker of her progress. The fact that she feels “closest” to breaking it after her recent indoor success suggests that the stars may be aligning for a historic attempt.
Breaking Kratochvílová’s nearly 43-year-old record would undoubtedly place Hodgkinson in an elite category of athletes whose achievements have transcended their own generations. It would be a powerful statement about her current form, her training, and her mental fortitude.
The journey to such a record is arduous, requiring a perfect confluence of factors: peak physical condition, ideal weather conditions, a strong field of competitors to push the pace, and flawless execution on the day. Hodgkinson acknowledges this complexity, noting that “a lot of things have got to come together.”
As the athletics season unfolds, all eyes will be on Keely Hodgkinson as she embarks on her quest to etch her name further into the history books. Her current form and her stated belief suggest that the seemingly insurmountable 800m outdoor world record might finally be within reach.
