Georgia Bell: "It was so unlikely I would be here in the first place. I just had to go for it and see what happened"

Athletics 11 Aug 24

Just three-years ago, Georgia Bell wasn't even dreaming of competing at an Olympic Games.

The 30-year-old had retired from athletics following her time at University of California after successive injuries left her no longer enjoying the sport.

However a parkrun experience during the Covid-19 pandemic was the catalyst to catapult herself back onto the running scene and began a journey that sent her all the way to the Olympic podium.

And after taking her very first breaths in the French capital, it seemed to be an Olympic bronze written in the stars for Bell.

“At the start line I was telling myself I was born for this, because I was born in Paris 30 years ago," she said.

"I just felt like I had nothing to lose, there was no pressure on me, training was going well and it was so unlikely I would be here in the first place, so I just had to go for it and see what happens.

"I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy. I'm over the moon, I’m an Olympic medallist."

It was fast from the gun in the Stade de France, with eventual winner and new Olympic record holder Faith Kipyegon taking out the first lap just shy of one minute.

But Bell noted that she was determined to hang on and give herself a fighting chance.

And she did just that. Flying down the final 100m, she overtook Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji to win bronze in a new British record and personal best of 3:52.61s.

“When I saw them come through like 59, 60s I knew it was going to be painful but I also knew I could finish strong so as long as I didn’t let a gap go and I was there with 100m to go then I thought I could do it. I just had to dig deep in the middle," she said.

“I didn’t realise how fast it was until we crossed the line, I just zoned out after that first lap and just tried to stay in the train and not overthink it.

"I did an 800m a couple of weeks ago which showed me I have good speed and gave me confidence going in. It’s my strength as a 1500m runner that I can close hard if I stay in there."

And by capping off a remarkable comeback with Olympic bronze in the city she was born in, Bell noted that running has brought not just silverware, but a refreshing new source of friendship and joy into her life.

“I am so happy I came back to this sport," she said. "Mainly, I’m happy with what running has given me.

"Obviously it’s amazing to be at the Olympics but when I took up running again, the goal wasn’t to make the Olympics, that would have been absolutely bonkers at the time, it was coming back to something that I really loved and taking the time away showed I really love it.

"I love it being part of my life, I look forward to that part of the day and I’ve made friends and family through it.

"I feel like there’s so much more from the team and I feel really lucky to be a part of it.”

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