"No more races for me" - Paris Olympics gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson withdraws from the rest of the 2024 citing injury

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 22, 2024 06:04 GMT

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Paris Olympics gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson recently announced her withdrawal from competing in the rest of the 2024 season after suffering an injury. The British middle-distance runner claimed victories in all nine of her 800m races in 2024 and displayed her peak form during the Olympic year.

Adding the finishing touch to her season, she clinched a gold medal in the women's 800m after registering a stunning time of 1:56.72. The 22-year-old defeated Tsige Duguma and Mary Moraa, who clocked 1:57.15 and 1:57.42, respectively.

Fresh off her Paris Olympic victory, she was poised as the favorite to clinch the victory at the Zurich Diamond League followed by the final edition in Brussels in September. However, the Olympic champion picked up an injury during one of her training sessions.

She took to social media to announce her withdrawal from the rest of the 2024 season, while taking pride in a highly successful season.

"Update," she wrote. "No more races for me!! Unfortunately I picked up a small injury, but we achieved everything I had hoped to do this year, thank you for all the love and support!! see you on the track next year 🫶🏼❤️‍🔥😇"

The BBC has reported that Hodgkinson's first tournament after the Paris Olympics will be the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

"I now believe I can do that" - Keely Hodgkinson asserts confidence in breaking the long-standing 800m world record

Keely Hodgkinson of Team Great Britain celebrates with a crown during the Women's 800m Final at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

Following her glorious feat in Paris, Keely Hodgkinson showcased confidence in breaking the 800m women's world record.

Jarmila Kratochvilova clocked a notable time of 1:53.28 to set the current long-standing 800m world record on July 26, 1983. Hodgkinson came close to the world record by registering 1:54.61 in July 2024 at the London Diamond League, setting the British record.

During an interview with the Independent, she asserted confidence in breaking the world record, stating it was her next goal after securing an Olympic gold medal.

“It’s definitely something I’ve thought about since I raced in London”, she said. "I think that record has stood for so long. It’s been a long time since anyone has hit [one minute and] 53 seconds, so I’d love to do that. I think I can. I now believe I can do that.”

Keely Hodgkinson secured a silver medal in the 800m event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after clocking a time of 1:55.88.