Keely Hodgkinson reveals how training fall 'messed up' her summer after discovery of abnormal hamstring in 800m bid
Published 18/09/2026 at 09:03 GMT+1
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Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson has revealed how a fall on a cooldown run "messed up" her shot at 800m glory this season, and the middle-distance runner has spoken about the discovery of an "abnormality" in her hamstring.
Watch: Hodgkinson pipped to gold by Werro in thrilling women's 800m final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hodgkinson looked in top form as she set a new indoor 800m world record in February 2026, and then won gold at the World Indoor Championships.
She ran her fastest-ever 800m time in June as she continued to build for the European Athletics Championships.
But her preparations ended up being thrown off course by a fall on a metal grill when out for a run in Manchester.
"It was very smooth sailing, and I remember thinking 'that it was too easy'," said Hodgkinson.
"I was like, 'no, something's going to shock me or surprise me', and that's what happened.
"The challenge was getting back to the start line. I wanted to prove to myself with far from ideal circumstances, because you just don’t know when this could happen again."
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Watch thrilling finish as Hodgkinson grabs gold for Team GB in 800m
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hodgkinson went on: "Regardless of if stuff goes right or wrong, I can still perform with the best in the world, and that's given me confidence.
"I actually don't think I need to change anything. I've been in the best shape ever this year, but sometimes it doesn’t always translate.
"When I fell over, that kind of messed me up way more than I thought it did. I think that’s what's contributed to my hamstring, because I couldn't really use my quad for a while, and there's a whole bunch of s***."
Hodgkinson finished second at the European Championships behind Switzerland’s Audrey Werro.
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- Hodgkinson beaten to European 800m gold by Werro
She suffered a hamstring injury at the competition, but has continued to run since, owing to a "split" hamstring, which gives her two tendons instead of one.
"My body is quite literally built differently," Hodgkinson told The Telegraph.
"Where most people have one tendon, mine is split - I have two - and we're trying to figure out if it's a strength or a weakness.
"So when one of them tore, I still had another one, because it's split. In Birmingham, it didn't affect me during the race, but I could feel something wasn't quite right.
"It's a weird one. You can still run on them. I haven't missed any training the last three weeks. But I've just had to alter my approach. I've had to take my foot off the speed [training], because that's when it's most risky."
Hodgkinson will finish her season at the all-women’s Athlos meeting at the StoneX Stadium in Barnet on Friday.
Still in her sights is Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing 800m world record, which is one of athletics' oldest records.
Hodgkinson hopes the increased competition in the event can push her to greater heights.
"I wanted to get this world record," she said.
"I’m good, but I need someone to help me push to these times. It’s too difficult on your own. Audrey's done incredible this year. I think we will get that eventually.
"The most important year will be LA [2028 Olympics], that's the one that you really want to get right.
"I'd be naive to think it was going to be smooth sailing the whole way. I'm 24. There’s still so much to do, and I love competing."
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