‘Closest I’ve felt’ – Hodgkinson on breaking longest-standing world record

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson says she feels “closer than ever” to breaking the women’s 800m outdoor record – the longest-standing world record in athletics.

Jarmila Kratochvilova set the record of one minute 53.28 seconds in Munich in July 1983.

But Britain’s Hodgkinson, who broke the event’s indoor world record on Thursday, believes she can surpass Kratochvilova and achieve something that will “cement her place as the greatest of all time”.

“It’s not an easy feat and there’s a reason it has stood for so long, ” Hodgkinson told BBC Sport.

Hodgkinson’s stunning indoor run in France saw her cross the line in 1:54.87 to smash a world record which had stood since 3 March 2002 – the day the Briton was born.

Her coach, Jenny Meadows, told BBC Sport the athlete’s time in Lievin could have been up to one second faster – and Hodgkinson is aiming higher still.

“I’ve known for weeks I’m capable of breaking it. It’s just a matter of getting out on the day,” she said.

“We can push it even further in the future, as long as I stay healthy and I think this is hopefully just the beginning.”

Victory came after a difficult year for the 23-year-old, who stormed to Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024.

Hodgkinson was left unable to train after tearing her hamstring just a few months after that triumph and has been building her way back ever since.

“After winning the Olympics, it really wasn’t what I thought was going to happen,” she said.

“It makes you stop and strip back everything and think, why is this happening? What are the problems?

Hodgkinson admits a lot of things need to come together for her to break Kratochvilova’s record but her recent performances have convinced others in the sport it’s only a matter of time.

World Athletics president Lord Coe told the Sunday Times he believes Hodgkinson will achieve the feat this year.

There have been claims that Kratochvilova’s performance was assisted by the systematic doping regime that existed in her country at the time – something she has strenuously denied.

However, her time remains more than a second quicker than Hodgkinson’s current personal best of 1:54.61 – a national record she set in London in 2024.

“We’re on the right path and we’ve seen evidence in training that we think that it’s possible,” Hodgkinson said.

“I think the reason this year has gone so well for me is because I’ve had my healthiest winter training I’ve had in years.”

While the race Hodgkinson and her team may target for any record attempt may remain a mystery, Hodgkinson says she is always keen to put in a big performance in London.

“My coach did say two years ago that 2026 will be a good year,” she said.

The last 12 months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Hodgkinson.

After numerous injury setbacks, Hodgkinson took world 800m bronze in September, with training partner Georgia Hunter Bell securing silver.

Despite the ups and downs, Hodgkinson still describes 2025 as “my best year”.

“I still had a good time – my entire personality is not my job,” she said.

“There’s so much more outside of life than just what I have going in my career.”

During her rehabilitation, Hodgkinson’s team mates dubbed her ‘Keely 2.0’ – a nod to her reinvention and ability to come back stronger.

Coach Trevor Painter bought her a giant Himalayan salt lamp to, as she says, “send happy vibes”.

“He says my moods were unpredictable last year” she joked.

“It’s meant to calm the energy in the atmosphere.

First up, though, will be March’s World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, where Hodgkinson will be the firm favourite for gold.

Outdoors, she will have an exciting new name next to her on the start line.

In October, two-time 400m hurdles world champion Femke Bol announced she will step up to compete in the 800m.

Earlier this month, the Dutch superstar won her debut race in Metz, France, setting a national record of 1:59.07 in the process.

“‘Me and Femke are really good friends,” Hodgkinson said.

“We’ve grown up a little bit together over the years. Femke is a very talented woman, but I also know what it takes to run the 800m at these times.

“Just give her some time [and] she’ll get there.”