Keely Hodgkinson on her way to an 800m win at the Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich (© AFP / Getty Images)
Olympic 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson will return to Wanda Diamond League action at the Müller Birmingham Diamond League at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday 21 May.
The British record-holder, who turned 20 earlier this month, clocked a world-leading 1:57.20 over 800m indoors in February in Birmingham, the fastest time indoors for 20 years, but she unfortunately had to withdraw from the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 due to a strain to her right quad muscle.
In a year stacked with competitive opportunities, including the World and European Championships and potentially the Commonwealth Games, Hodgkinson is now earmarking Birmingham as the ideal way to start her summer campaign.
“Last year was incredible from start to finish which I think made the decision to come out of the World Indoors even harder,” said the European indoor and Wanda Diamond League champion. “I obviously went to Belgrade to win gold and I didn’t even make the start line, so I was gutted. I’ve never had to pull out of a race before, but it’s about looking at the bigger picture and making sure the problem is fixed and doesn’t reoccur.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn as a professional athlete and that experience, which was pretty upsetting at the time, taught me a lot. I’m grateful to have such a brilliant team around me to support me and I’m already making good progress. I got back to running within about 10 days, which was what we had hoped for, and I’m now totally focused on my return to full fitness and to winning medals at the big championships this summer.
“I’ve got high expectations, but I’m at my most comfortable on the track and I can’t wait to kick off my summer campaign in Birmingham.”
Organisers for World Athletics
