Keely Hodgkinson aims for world record in Lievin
Keely Hodgkinson will attempt to claim her maiden world record this evening when she lines up for the 800 metres at the World Indoor Tour meeting in Lievin, France, reports BritPanorama.
The 23-year-old Olympic gold medallist has set her sights on Jolanda Ceplak’s indoor mark of 1:55.82, a time established by the Slovenian athlete on 3 March 2002. This date coincides with Hodgkinson’s birthday, adding personal significance to her quest.
Hodgkinson arrives in Lievin in exceptional form, having recently adopted a relaxed approach to her training and competition schedule following a disrupted 2025 season due to injuries. She prioritizes balance in her life, underscoring the importance of her emotional wellbeing. “I’m really big on balance. Balance is definitely my thing. My internal happiness comes before anything else,” she explained.
At last weekend’s UK Championships in Birmingham, Hodgkinson demonstrated her outstanding condition by lowering her own British indoor best to 1:56.33, positioning her third on the all-time list. Her coach, Trevor Painter, is optimistic about her chances, suggesting she is “odds-on” to break the world record, barring unforeseen circumstances. The Birmingham performance, while impressive, was primarily aimed at honing her opening 200 metres.
“I don’t want to put a time limit on what I think I can do but I didn’t mean to go that fast, which shows I’m in a really good place,” she reflected on her recent achievements. Hodgkinson acknowledged her capability for such performances, expressing a desire to see just how fast she can truly go.
The record she pursues belongs to Ceplak, who faced disqualification following a doping offence. Meanwhile, the evening program in Lievin will also feature the women’s 1,500 metres, showcasing an intriguing British contest between UK Championships gold medallist Jemma Reekie and Georgia Hunter-Bell, who has recently been recovering from a hamstring issue.
Hodgkinson’s foray into the world of high-performance athletics, poised as she is to shatter records, highlights the unpredictable yet exhilarating intersection of sport and personal fulfilment. Her journey is emblematic of how, even in the face of pressure, the balance of life outside competition can pave the way for extraordinary achievements on the track.
