Keely Hodgkinson believes this year’s London Diamond League could witness a “battle of the world records” as she aims to break athletics’ longest-standing record on home soil.
Hodgkinson, a six-time global medallist, will compete at the London Stadium meet for the first time since her British-record run before the Paris 2024 Games. She has her sights set on the 43-year world 800m record of one minute 53.28 seconds, set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in July 1983.
Hodgkinson’s Preparation and Plans
After an injury-disrupted 2023, the 24-year-old reports her best winter training block, not missing a single session. This was evidenced by her world indoor record in February.
With no global outdoor championship to prioritise for the first time in five years, Hodgkinson’s focus has shifted to the world 800m record.
Hodgkinson stated, “Obviously I would love to have that happen on home soil.” She added, “I get really excited about London and the crowd. As a British person, competing there is so much fun. It’s definitely the main thing I’m looking forward to on the calendar this year.”
“It might be a battle of the world records. Who can get a better one?” she joked.
Road to the Record Attempt
Hodgkinson will start her outdoor season at the Rome Diamond League on 4 June, testing her speed over 400m. Following this, she will compete in 800m races in Stockholm and Eugene as part of her world record pursuit.
Should the world record not be broken in London, Hodgkinson will have another chance at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham in August.
Contingency Plans and Stadium Support
After two significant hamstring tears during her first year as Olympic champion, Hodgkinson remains cautious. “We obviously have a plan ‘A’ of what we would like to happen,” Hodgkinson said.
“The sport has its own plans sometimes, and it is not something you can straight away plan and think ‘lets do this’. If I come into the shape where I think I want to go [for the record] a bit sooner, or it happens to be a bit later in the season, that could just be how it goes.”
Hodgkinson hopes to see the World Athletics Championships hosted at London Stadium in 2029, as she prepares to compete in front of a crowd of 60,000 this summer. The UK government has confirmed its support for London’s bid to host the event, with the intention of staging it at London stadium, which last hosted the event in 2017.
Josh Kerr also intends to target the world mile record in London on Saturday, 18 July. The mile record has stood since 1999.