Keely Hodgkinson (born March 3, 2002) is a young British athlete who has taken the middle-distance running world by storm. Specializing in the grueling 800 meters, Keely has become a household name in Britain thanks to her exceptional talent and remarkable achievements.
Hailing from Atherton, a small town near Manchester, Keely's athletic journey began at a young age. Inspired by British heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill's gold medal performance at the 2012 London Olympics, Keely joined her current team, Leigh Harriers, at the age of nine.
Her dedication and natural talent quickly became evident. Keely started racking up national and European titles in youth competitions, setting the stage for her meteoric rise in the years to come.
At the young age of 19, Keely took the athletics world by surprise. Competing at the European Athletics Indoor Championships held in Toruń, Poland in 2021, she became the youngest women's 800m European indoor champion ever. This historic victory solidified her status as a rising star to watch.Later that year, Keely's talent shone even brighter at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. While the legendary Athing Mu dominated the race, Keely showcased her incredible potential by securing a silver medal and breaking the long-standing British record held by Kelly Holmes since 1995.
This feat cemented her position as one of the best young middle-distance runners in the world. Keely hasn't stopped there. Since her Olympic breakthrough, she has continued to challenge the best in the world. She secured silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, narrowly missing out on gold in both instances. She also added gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 and 2024 European Championships, further solidifying her position as a dominant force in the 800m.Keely's athletic achievements extend beyond the 800m. She holds the world indoor best in the 600 meters, showcasing her versatility as a middle-distance runner. She's also a two-time Diamond League 800m champion, a prestigious series that brings together the world's best athletes.At just 22 years old, Keely Hodgkinson is already an established star in the athletics world. With her relentless pursuit of improvement and unwavering dedication, she is undoubtedly a strong contender for the gold medal at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Keely Hodgkinson is an athlete to watch, and her journey promises to be filled with many more exciting chapters.
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