Back-to-back wins for Hodgkinson since injury return

Before the World Championships in March, Keely Hodgkinson put together yet another impressive performance as she won back-to-back titles since coming back from injury.

Hodgkinson, 23, broke the Lausanne Diamond League’s record by clocking in at one minute 55. 69 seconds.

Following a season that was hampered by injury, Hodgkinson made it a 376-day wait to compete for the first time since winning gold at Paris 2024.

Hodgkinson has wasted no time in reinforcing herself as the favorite for gold in Tokyo despite suffering two hamstring tears this year, which delayed her season-opener until four weeks before the World Championships.

The two-time world silver medalist made an impressive return to Silesia, Poland on Saturday, clocking in 1:54.74, the ninth-fastest time in history, in Silesia, Poland.

In the run-up to her stunning Olympic victory, she ran a British record at last year’s London Diamond League, but it was only 0.13 seconds short of her lifetime best.

Hodgkinson teased at the news conference on Tuesday that she “wouldn’t rule out” going even faster in Lausanne as she worked to improve her race-day sharpness.

Hodgkinson once more demonstrated a class above her competition on Wednesday evening as she powered clear on the final lap to claim yet another impressive victory despite the circumstances.

Hodgkinson told BBC World Service Sport, “I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I’m a little shocked myself.”

“I work incredibly hard for these kinds of situations, but when it all comes together, it becomes extra special.

To be here now is amazing because Trevor [Painter – her coach] once said to me, “You’re actually ahead of schedule, I wanted you to be here by the time we’re in Tokyo.” Let’s see what can happen, hoping we can stay healthy and continue to improve upon what we have.

Hunter Bell’s final planned race before the Olympic 1500m bronze medalist decides what competition she will compete in a bid to earn another podium at the world championships was this year.

Hunter Bell, who is also under the guidance of Painter and Jenny Meadows, has won numerous Diamond League titles this season over 800m in Stockholm and London.

The 31-year-old, who made her Olympic debut last summer, set a personal best of 1: 56.28 in the 800m, a level-breaker for the sport before quitting for five years.

She recently spoke with British Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who won the 2004 Olympic gold medals in 800 and 1500 meters, for guidance on how to attempt a potential double in Tokyo.

Hunter Bell said, “I wanted to go a little faster but it was difficult today and recovering from the race a few days ago.”

She continued, “I don’t know, I’m going to decide this week,” about her plans for Tokyo. I have no time to make a decision right now. I make up my mind every day.