Olympic Champion Keely Hodgkinson Ends Season Early Due to Injury

Reigning Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has been forced to withdraw from the remainder of the 2024 athletics season due to injury. The 22-year-old Briton, who secured her first Olympic gold medal in Paris earlier this month, had been scheduled to compete in the Diamond League finals in Brussels in September but will now miss the event.

Hodgkinson’s decision comes after an unbeaten run in 2024, where she dominated the 800m event, winning all nine of her races. Her flawless season was highlighted by a commanding victory in Paris, where she became Olympic champion, and by breaking her own British record at the London Diamond League in July with a time of 1:54.61.

In an Instagram post announcing her early season finish, Hodgkinson expressed her disappointment but remained optimistic about the future. “No more races for me,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, I picked up a small injury, but we achieved everything I had hoped to do this year. Thank you for all the love and support. See you on the track next year.”

Despite the setback, Hodgkinson remains focused on her long-term goals. Among them is her ambition to break the long-standing women’s 800m world record of 1:53.28, which has stood for over 40 years. Additionally, she will be aiming for her first World Championship title in Tokyo in 2025, having narrowly missed out on gold with back-to-back silver medals in the past two editions.

Hodgkinson also successfully defended her European 800m title this year, further cementing her status as one of the leading middle-distance runners in the world. Her consistent performances and ability to deliver on the biggest stages have made her one of the brightest stars in British athletics.

As she begins her recovery and preparation for next season, Hodgkinson’s fans and supporters will no doubt be eagerly awaiting her return in 2025, when she will look to add more accolades to her already glittering career.