Keely Hodgkinson 'closer than ever' to breaking athletics' longest standing world record
BBC World
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson is making history by closing in on one of athletics' most elusive records: the women's 800m outdoor world record set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983. Hodgkinson, who recently broke the indoor world record with a stunning performance in France, believes she is now "closer than ever" to achieving something that could cement her legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her coach, Jenny Meadows, has even suggested that her recent performance could have been faster, hinting at untapped potential.
The women's 800m outdoor record, standing at 1 minute 53.28 seconds, is not only a formidable target but also shrouded in controversy. Some speculate that Kratochvilova's remarkable time was aided by doping practices prevalent during her era, though she has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Hodgkinson's personal best currently stands at 1:54.61, nearly a second behind the record. Despite this gap, Hodgkinson remains confident, attributing her recent success to her healthiest winter training cycle in years. She and her team are focused on continuing to build momentum, with hopes of targeting major events like the London meeting, which holds special significance for her.
Hodgkinson's journey has been anything but smooth. Following her Olympic triumph in 2024, she suffered a setback when a hamstring injury forced her into a period of recovery. However, she credits this challenging time as an opportunity to grow stronger both physically and mentally. Her resilience shines through as she not only rebuilds her strength but also aims to surpass the record that has stood for nearly four decades.
World Athletics president Lord Coe has expressed his belief in Hodgkinson's ability to achieve this historic feat in 2025, calling it "only a matter of time" before she succeeds. Hodgkinson herself acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic, stating that her recent performances have convinced others in the sport community of her potential. With her sights set on future competitions and a possible record-breaking performance in London, Hodgkinson is poised to make
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/23/2026