Hodgkinson breaks national record to win 800m silver

Athletics 03 Aug 21

Teenager Keely Hodgkinson took stunning silver to win Team GB’s first women's 800m medal since 2004 and break Kelly Holmes's British record.

The 19-year-old unleashed her potent kick finish to come from fourth to second and finish in 1:55.88.

She came home 0.67s behind USA’s Athing Mu, also 19, who won in a national record of 1:55.21.

Hodgkinson delivered Team GB their first medal on the fifth day of the athletics programme at the Olympic Stadium.

Jemma Reekie ran a superb 1:56.90 personal best and was second coming onto the home straight, missing out on a medal by 0.09s to USA’s Raevyn Rogers.

On Olympic debut, Alexandra Bell also ran a personal best of 1:57.66.

"That was such a good race from every single person in that race, it was so open and I wanted to leave it all out there," said Hodgkinson.

"It's going to take a couple of days to sink in but I'm so happy.

"I'm pretty speechless right now. Kelly Holmes is a legend, she's going to be a legend for British Athletics for a long time.

"I've looked up to her, I spoke to her over the past couple of days and she's a lovely person, I just have no words for that.

"I want to thank my amazing team, my family that make so many sacrifices for me, they've put so much belief in me.

"I don't normally cry - my friends will be wondering what I'm crying for.

"If the Olympics were last year, I wouldn't be here. It's definitely given me a chance to grow and compete with these girls. "It's not just me who's 19 - Mu is almost 19, teenagers taking on the podium is incredible and hopefully we've got many battles ahead of us."

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