Hodgkinson Targets Indoor 800m Record at 'Keely Klassic'

Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m champion, is preparing for the 'Keely Klassic,' a new event in Birmingham designed to enhance the profile of athletics in the UK, where she will attempt to break the indoor 800m world record. Seb Coe, president of World Athletics, regards Hodgkinson as one of the all-time greats and supports her record-breaking ambitions. Despite running a personal best of 1:54.61, Hodgkinson faces the challenge of surpassing the 41-year-old record of 1:53.28 held by Jarmila Kratochvilova—a task considered daunting due to its association with a controversial era of doping. Her coaching team, including Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, recognizes the difficulty but remains optimistic, citing technological and training advancements. While they aim for a record-breaking performance within the next few years, her immediate focus is on maintaining her winning form and inspiring others through her achievements.