Keely Hodgkinson has found a balance between her athletics career and enjoying life away from the track. The Olympic 800m champion is enjoying success after breaking the world indoor record and winning world indoor gold earlier this year.
Coe Praises Hodgkinson’s Authenticity
World Athletics president Seb Coe has hailed Keely Hodgkinson’s down-to-earth nature, calling her the most “authentic person I currently know.” Coe recalled seeing her celebrating her 24th birthday shortly after she broke the indoor world record.
Coe said he was leaving when she arrived to celebrate her birthday. He noted she was just days away from winning her world indoor title. He added she is “completely normal” and “absolutely rooted to the north of England.”
Hodgkinson’s Social Life
Hodgkinson’s dedication to training means she can’t enjoy regular nights out. However, she still maintains a social life. She told The Times in 2024 that she makes the most of her off-periods, so she doesn’t feel like she’s missing out when she is training.
She said she still goes out with her friends, getting dressed up for dinner and leaving when they go to a club. Hodgkinson books one night out every September with her friends in Manchester, where she will drink.
Hodgkinson has never felt like she has had to make sacrifices for her career. She said it never felt like a sacrifice because it was something she wanted to do. She never felt like she was missing out.
She said her parents weren’t pushy, so she never felt she had to lie about where she was. She added she was living her best life at 15 when she was in school and would be out all night with friends at parties.
Eyes on Future Games
Hodgkinson is preparing for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and European Championships in Birmingham. She is targeting the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles long-term.
She has already competed at two Olympics in Tokyo and Paris. She is eyeing three more Games appearances, which would take her to the age of 36.