Muir channelling Hodgkinson as her Olympic campaign gets underway

Athletics 06 Aug 24

Laura Muir hopes channelling inspiration from golden girl Keely Hodgkinson’s heroics can help her climb one step higher on the Olympic podium in Paris.

Muir, who won women’s 1500m silver in Tokyo three years ago, watched British teammate Hodgkinson surge to a stunning women’s 800m title on Monday night.

And the following morning, the Scot was taking to the speedy Stade de France track herself as she safely navigated her way through her heat in her longer middle-distance event.

Asked if she watched Hodgkinson grab her first global title and found it inspirational, the 31-year-old said: “Yes, oh my goodness.

“I stayed up to watch her so I hope she appreciates that as I was up early this morning!

“I thought I can’t go to bed and not see that – I bumped into her this morning while she was heading for press stuff and I was heading here.

“It was lovely to see her and absolutely amazing what she did.”

Georgia Bell also progressed through her women’s 1500m heat as she got her Olympic debut off to the perfect start.

The 29-year-old, who won European silver in Rome earlier this year, said: “It was all about staying out of trouble and making sure I’d qualified.

“It was nice smooth running so I am happy with that.”

Revee Walcott-Nolan will have to race again in a repechage to book her semi-final spot after an eighth-place finish in her heat.

She cut the tape in a time of 4:06.44 to finish 1.48s off the automatic qualification places.

While later in the morning, Victoria Ohuruogu ran a season’s best to win her women’s 400m repechage and advance to the semi-finals.

Ohuruogu, who clocked a time of 50.59s, said: “It took me a while to get my racing legs, but to get a season’s best at the Olympics just means we are going in the right direction.”

Sportsbeat 2024

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