KEELY HODGKINSON must forgo a day off from running if she wants to complete the final piece of her resume.
Britain’s middle-distance superstar has claimed medals at Olympic, world, European (outdoor and indoor) and Commonwealth level since her breakthrough in Torun five years ago.
The medals collection began as a teenager in Torun in March 2021 with the European Indoor title and she returns to the same Polish city for the three-day World Athletics Indoor Championships, which begin on Friday.
Hopes of adding a World Indoor gong to her CV on her tournament debut appearance are boosted by her exceptionally quick form, having set a 800 metres world record (1:54.87) under–a-roof last month.
However, it would mean running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with heats, semi-finals and the final on different days – not ideal for someone who likes her lie-ins.
Hodgkinson said: “Fast times are obviously really great, but Championships are just completely different – and having three rounds in three days is another curveball.
“That’s really tough. I’ve done it before. I’d quite like to have a day off if that’s okay.
“But I’m looking forward to it and this last month has been great. I couldn’t ask to be in a better position to be honest. Training’s gone really well.
“This is fourth time lucky. It’s the one medal I don’t have. It would be really great to box that one off.
“Just happy to make the start line this time. Until I’ve crossed the finish line, I’m not going to jinx anything. The competition looks great and we’ll see what happens.”
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In the early part of 2024 and 2025, Hodgkinson was certainly jinxed – first she had a serious knee injury that required crutches and then last year the problem was torn hamstrings.
She was unable to compete much in the first 4–5 months of the calendar year but she still managed to become Olympic champion in Paris two years ago and then claim world bronze in Tokyo last September.
Thankfully it was a drama-free winter just gone and the displays on the track mean she is the overwhelming favourite for gold on Sunday night in Eastern Europe.
The British athletics poster-girl said: “The track looks a little bit different than it did five years ago.
“We were quite privileged to have had that Championship at that time with everything going on in the world with Covid.
“I’m embracing my 19-year-old fearless self, someone who doesn’t-think-too-much and just turns up, that kind of attitude.
“And it’s working for me and I’m just having fun with everything. Competition brings so many different things.
“You don’t actually know what’s going to happen and that’s the exciting thing about a global championship. So I’m excited to embrace that.
“When I was injured, it was definitely draining on the mind and there were a lot of frustrations.
“But I always say now I look back, I wouldn’t change any of it. I think it was a pivotal moment for me.
“I learnt a lot about myself. I had time off the track to just enjoy my life and just have some chill time.
“I think it’s made me a better athlete. It made competing for me that much more fun and exciting. So yeah, frustrating at the time, but I wouldn’t change anything.”
Welsh sprinter Jeremiah Azu is the big British name in action on day one as he tries to retain his 60 metres crown.
That is something no Brit has managed to do and which no male athlete has achieved since Canadian Bruny Surin between 1993-95.
