Keely Hodgkinson wins silver as Audrey Werro sets record in 800m

Keely Hodgkinson fell short in her bid for a third consecutive European title, settling for silver in the women's 800m final on Saturday in Birmingham. The 24-year-old British athlete was overtaken by Switzerland's Audrey Werro, who clinched the gold in a championship record time of 1:54.81.

This highly anticipated race featured a fierce competition among Hodgkinson, Werro, and Dutch runner Femke Bol in front of a sell-out crowd of 23,000 at Alexander Stadium. Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion, was eager to reclaim her dominance in the event. Despite strong support from the home crowd, she could not catch Werro in the final moments of the race. Werro's victory comes after a season where she proved to be a formidable competitor, having set the fastest time in the event since the world record was established 43 years ago.

Hodgkinson expressed mixed feelings after the race, acknowledging that any medal is a significant achievement, especially given the high level of competition. "I knew it was going to come down to the wire but I really thought I was going to win today," she said. Her time of 1:55.01 still marked her 12th senior international medal, adding to her impressive collection since her first at the European Indoor Championships five years ago. The British team celebrated their 10th medal in five days at these championships, with Zharnel Hughes also securing silver in the men's 200m.

Werro's performance was particularly remarkable given she suffered a fall in her semi-final just days earlier. Despite the setback, she recovered to participate and dominated the final, showcasing her resilience and athletic prowess. This race not only highlights the competitive nature of European athletics but also underscores the emerging rivalry between Hodgkinson and Werro, which could shape future championships.