Keely Hodgkinson withdraws from Keely Klassic due to injury

Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m champion, has withdrawn from her own event, the Keely Klassic in Birmingham, due to a hamstring injury sustained during training. She was aiming to break the long-standing women's indoor 800m world record but expressed her disappointment, stating that she was in the best shape of her life and was 'gutted' not to race for fans who had bought tickets to see her attempt. Despite her absence, the 22-year-old plans to attend the event to support other competitors and promote British athletics. Hodgkinson is hopeful for a return in time for the World Indoor Championships in March, although her participation remains uncertain. The current women's 800m indoor record has stood since 2002, held by Jolanda Ceplak. Hodgkinson emphasized the importance of the event in showcasing British talent and inspiring the next generation of athletes.