Keely Hodgkinson was in tears as she walked off the track seconds before she was due to race in the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson was visibly distressed as she withdrew from the track moments before she was scheduled to compete in the 400m final at the British Athletics Championship. The 24-year-old has since issued a statement.
Hodgkinson emerged at the Alexander Stadium alongside the other competitors and took her position in lane nine as she readied herself for the title race, which differs from her customary 800m discipline.
But it quickly became clear something was amiss as she moved to the edge of the track and appeared distressed while officials surrounded her. She then crouched down as tears streamed and she departed amid worry and dismay amongst onlookers.
Subsequently, she released a statement clarifying what had occurred. She said: “I wasn’t feeling 100% standing on the start line, so I made the tough decision to step away and not race. I didn’t want to risk anything ahead of this summer.”
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On Instagram, she wrote: “Leaving champs healthy!! Sometimes the hard decision is saying no, body wasn’t feeling 100[%], exciting summer ahead.”
The commentary team at the BBC then relayed that they had received a message from Hodgkinson’s coach, Jenny Meadows, stating the star withdrew because she “felt a little twinge in her last strides before the race.”
Amber Anning received a second chance after a false start in the 400m final, but it was the world indoor champion who recovered and defended her title, finishing with a time of 50.16 seconds.
Hodgkinson has lately been taking part in 400m competitions in a bid to enhance her pace as she aims for the 800m outdoor world record later this summer. In July 1983, Jarmila Kratochvilova set the outdoor record with a time of one minute 53.28 seconds.
“It’s not an easy feat and there’s a reason it has stood for so long, ” Hodgkinson told the BBC. “I think this is the closest I’ve felt near it. I do really believe that we can break it, but a lot of things have got to come together.
“We’re on the right path and we’ve seen evidence in training that we think that it’s possible. I’ve had my healthiest winter training I’ve had in years.
“My coach did say two years ago that 2026 will be a good year. I’ve known for weeks I’m capable of breaking it. It’s just a matter of getting out on the day.
“We can push it even further in the future, as long as I stay healthy and I think this is hopefully just the beginning. After winning the Olympics, it really wasn’t what I thought was going to happen.”