Keely Hodgkinson won the women’s 800m final earning the first gold medal in athletics for Great Britain.
The 22-year-old took the lead after the first lap and managed to hold off fierce opposition to surpass her previous best of a silver medal from Tokyo 2021.
After Dame Kelly Holmes in Athens 2004 and Anne Packer in the Tokyo Olympics of 1964. She becomes the third British woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800m.
“Incredible” was how Hodgkinson marked the final result.
“You could see how much it meant to me as I crossed the queue.” I’ve been working hard for the past year.” That I finished it shocks me. It has great meaning for me and where better to do it than here?
“Even though, everyone fell out from competing in the semifinal and final straight up. I still wanted to be close to the front and probably quicker after the first lap. It’s difficult.”Even though I would preferred to be closer to the front after the first lap. Everyone was worn out after competing in the semi-final and final back-to-back. It’s difficult.
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“I had confidence in myself as I sensed Mary [Moraa, the bronze recipient] approaching me from behind. However, this time I was calm and I was first in the queue.
“I’m excited to bring it home for all of you, It’s a team effort and they are all aware of who they are, not just me. Our gold medal is this one.”
With 12 gold medals overall. Her victory has pushed Britain to fifth position in the medal table, just behind France.
