Keely Hodgkinson set for greatest race ever as new challenger calls her out
Team GB athlete Georgia Hunter Bell is eager to set up a date to compete against Keely Hodgkinson in the 800 metres. And it won't be long before an elite class of competitors in this particular event go head-to-head.
Hunter Bell did not take part in the 800m at the European Athletics Championships this past weekend and instead prioritised her participation in the 1,500 metres, where she claimed gold. It was her second major win in a fortnight after capitalising on Hodgkinson’s absence at the Commonwealth Games to top the 800m podium for England at the end of July. That result proved Hunter Bell belongs among world-class competition in two events. Audrey Werro won European gold ahead of Hodgkinson in Birmingham last Friday, while Dutch dynamo Femke Broeders-Bol took the bronze to round out a truly top-class trio.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“There is still a lot left of the season,” said Hunter Bell following the European Athletics Championships, stating her intent to get back in the ring over 800 metres. “I haven’t done a paced 800m yet, I have one coming up with the speedy girls.
“I am really excited to throw my hat into the ring there. Had a bit of fomo [fear of missing out] when I saw them on the podium. It’s such an exciting time. I am really happy.”
She continued: “I haven’t run a personal best so far this year yet but weirdly you could say I’m having my best year because I keep on winning.”
Hunter Bell pipped current world champion Lilian Odira to the 800m gold in Glasgow last month. Odira remains one of the most potent threats in the field despite that result, having collected her first Diamond League win at the Prefontaine Classic at the start of July.
And Hunter Bell is now set to form part of an elite crop of 800m runners taking part at the next Diamond League meeting in Zurich later this month. All five competitors are scheduled to appear in the 800m event in Switzerland on August 27.
If for some reason that doesn't come to fruition, there's another chance for a rare clash between Hunter Bell, Hodgkinson, Odira, Werro and Broeders-Bol. It’s been mooted the five could face off at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest next month, where there would be a £110,000 prize for first place.
"I can’t wait for that, hopefully the big five will come together soon,” she said. "We’ve been talking after the races. ‘When are you racing? You should get into this one.’
"There’s a good competitive spirit. In a good way, people aren’t swerving opportunities; everyone is trying to do it together."
Hunter Bell will need to bring her A-game if she is to join the other four runners for what promises to be an iconic showdown. Despite clinching the gold in Scotland, her winning time was four-and-a-half seconds slower than Hodgkinson’s second-place time in the European final last Friday.
However, she has suggested elevated competition brings the best out of an athlete as she concluded: “Obviously you want to win. If you are in the same race, everyone runs really fast, whoever comes out on top, that’s fun. We’ll see how it goes.”