A new star commands the track in middle-distance running. Her name carries the weight of Olympic gold and a rare grace over 800 meters. This athlete emerged from Atherton, a small town near Manchester, to become a world champion.
Fans know her as “The Hodge,” a nickname that reflects their genuine affection. At just 23 years old, she has built a stunning record. She owns an Olympic gold medal from Paris 2024 and a silver from the Tokyo Games.
Her trophy case also includes multiple European titles and World Championship medals. This consistency at the highest level proves her fierce competitive spirit.
She holds the British record with a time of 1:54.61. This mark makes her the sixth fastest woman in history over the distance. It is a testament to her technical skill and drive.
Her belief is simple. Athletes in her sport work incredibly hard but often receive little recognition. She aims to change that perception through every powerful performance.
Her impact earned her the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2024. The following year, she received an MBE for her contributions to athletics. This profile traces her journey from a young club runner to an Olympic champion.
Breaking Barriers: Early Life and the Rise of a British Icon
Long before Olympic podiums, there were local tracks and cross-country courses. The athlete’s journey began in community competitions where raw talent first met structured training.
Early Beginnings and Childhood Inspirations
At just nine years old, Keely Hodgkinson joined Leigh Harriers. This marked the official start of her athletic path. She found coaching, community, and competition.
Her talent showed immediately. She dominated youth races across multiple distances. The young runner won county championships in 800 meters, 1200 meters, and cross-country events.
In 2013, she made club history. Hodgkinson became the first Leigh Harrier to claim individual U11 girls’ titles in two major leagues. Her winning streak reached 16 consecutive undefeated races.
Joining Leigh Harriers and the Spark of Passion
By U13 level, she claimed Greater Manchester champion titles in both 800 and 1200 meters. The region recognized its most promising middle-distance runner.
2014 brought a perfect season. She won all 13 track races across 800-1500 meter events. Cross country competitions added to her unbeaten record.
Her breakthrough moment came when she broke a championship record. The 1200 meters mark had stood since 1985. She rewrote history as a teenager.
At sixteen, she won the England U20 800 meter championship. European U18 gold followed in Hungary with another record-breaking performance. In 2019, she began working with coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows. This partnership would refine her technique for senior competition.
Medals, Records, and Triumphs on the World Stage
Following her Olympic debut, a relentless series of podium finishes cemented her status among the world’s elite. Each race added a new chapter to her story, blending hard-fought silvers with groundbreaking golds.
Standout Performances at the Tokyo Olympics and Beyond
The momentum from Tokyo carried her into a dominant phase. In February 2022, she clocked the fastest indoor 800m time in two decades, setting a new British indoor record.
That summer was a whirlwind of major championships. She claimed a silver medal at the World Championships in Eugene, missing gold by a mere 0.08 seconds. Just days later, she earned another silver at the Commonwealth Games.
Her breakthrough came at the European Championships in Munich. There, she secured her first major senior outdoor gold medal, finishing half a second clear of her nearest rival.
European, Commonwealth, and World Championship Highlights
2023 showcased her incredible range and consistency. She started the year by shattering the world indoor record for the 600 meters, a mark that had stood since 2004.
Her dedication was profoundly personal. After winning her second European indoor title in Istanbul, she dedicated the victory to her first coach, Joe Galvin.
A series of record-breaking runs defined her season:
- She broke her own British outdoor record at the Paris Diamond League, clocking 1:55.77.
- At the World Championships in Budapest, another silver medal highlighted the fierce competition, with less than 0.3 seconds separating the top three finishers.
- The ultimate triumph arrived at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she clinched the gold medal in the 800 meters.
This victory made her the third British woman to win Olympic gold at the distance. Later that summer, she set a new British record of 1:54.61, becoming the sixth-fastest woman in history.
Keely Hodgkinson: Champion on the Global Track
Achieving Olympic gold doesn’t signal an end, but a shift in ambition toward even greater goals. For this athlete, the victory in Paris solidified her status and clarified her future targets. Her focus is now locked on a historic defense and a legendary record.
Overcoming Setbacks and Injury Comebacks
Every champion’s path includes hurdles. This runner’s career is no different, built on resilience and smart comebacks. She understands that peak performance requires navigating physical challenges.
These experiences shape her long-term view. Approaching her physical peak at 26 for the Los Angeles Olympics, she sees a prime opportunity. Her goal is to defend the title on a global stage she knows will be special.
Aspiring for Olympic Gold and World Records
Beyond another gold medal lies an even more daunting challenge. She has publicly targeted Jarmila Kratochvílová’s world record of 1:53.28, a mark standing since 1983. It is a goal she thinks about continuously.
She believes the capability is there, based on training indicators. Yet she acknowledges everything must align perfectly—mentality, conditions, and pace. The day that record falls, she says, will be a landmark moment for the sport.
Hodgkinson also aims to amplify track and field’s profile. She has voiced that athletes in her sport work incredibly hard for limited recognition. Through events like Athlos NYC, she helps celebrate female athletes and bring more attention to their stories.
Legacy and Looking Ahead: Celebrating a Champion
The journey from overlooked talent to national icon reveals the support system behind every champion. When British Athletics passed on funding in 2020, businessman Barrie Wells stepped in. His belief matched the £15,000 she needed for Florida training.
That support helped build an Olympic champion. Hodgkinson’s gold medal performance in Paris earned her the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The honor reflected her crossover appeal beyond traditional track fans.
A mural in Manchester’s Stevenson Square now celebrates her achievement. It stands as a permanent tribute to the local star. The 2025 New Year Honours brought an MBE for her contributions to the sport.
She remains grounded with Leigh Harriers, the club she joined at age nine. Coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows continue guiding her career. Her friendship with footballer Ella Toone endures from their school years.
Looking ahead, the champion aims for Los Angeles 2028 to defend her title. The world record remains her ultimate target. She wants to push boundaries for women in the sport while inspiring the next line of athletes.
