- Hodgkinson ended her wait for a global title with a perfect performance in Paris
- The British star held her nerve in the closing stages before running clear to win
- Hodgkinson becomes just the 10th British woman to win Olympic athletics gold
Keely Hodgkinson says she has cemented herself in history after she joined the list of British golden girls by storming to Olympic 800 metres glory.
The 22-year-old produced a dominant performance in Paris to end her wait for a first global title following silvers at the last Games and previous two World Championships.
Hodgkinson is only the 10th British woman to win an athletics gold medal at the Olympics – and the first since Jessica Ennis-Hill in 2012.
She is also just the third Brit to win the women’s 800m title, emulating Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Ann Packer in 1964.
‘It is crazy to be a part of that list,’ admitted Hodgkinson. ‘Jess was a big inspiration. She got me back into athletics all of those years ago.
Keely Hodgkinson was crowned the winner of the women’s 800m event at the Stade de France
Hodgkinson produced spectacular performance to live up to being the pre-race favourite
The Team GB star had an emotional celebration after ending her wait for a global title
She put on an assured display to hold off the challenge of world champion Mary Moraa, left
Hodgkinson was embraced by her father Dean in the crowd following her triumph in Paris
The British star spoke of her pride in emulating Athens 2004 champion Kelly Holmes, left
‘To join her and other legends like Kelly, to share these moments with these people and to cement myself in history, is really, really special. The Kellys and the Keelys coming together. It feels amazing.’
Pre-race favourite Hodgkinson powered away from the rest of the field to cross the line at the Stade de France in 1min 56.72sec, comfortably clear of Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, who was 0.43sec behind the Team GB poster girl.
Kenyan Mary Moraa, who stunned Hodgkinson at last summer’s World Championships, was third.
‘I’ve worked so hard for this over the last year,’ added Hodgkinson. ‘I think you could see how much it meant to me when I crossed the line. I can’t believe I’ve finally done it.
‘I could feel Mary pushing me on the back straight, but I had composure and got to the line first this time. I’m now the Olympic champion and no one can take that away from me. I’m just super happy I could bring it home.’
Asked if the gold medal would change her life, the Atherton athlete added: ‘I think so. I don’t know what it will bring but I’m better prepared than I was after Tokyo. A couple of years older, a bit blonder. We’re good.’
The middle distance runner has complete the journey from a promising talent to global star
Hodgkinson, pictured with her mother Rachel, becomes only the third British woman to be crowned as the Olympic 800m champion
The 22-year-old has confirmed her status as the golden girl of British athletics with the victory
Hodgkinson remained calm under pressure from Moraa as they came round the final bend
The British star pulled away in the closing metres to claim an impressive victory
Hodgkinson is only the 10th British woman to secure an athletics gold medal at the Olympics
The Team GB poster girl upgraded from her silver at the last Olympics by clinching victory
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis retained his men’s pole vault title and broke his own world record
On Tuesday night, Josh Kerr will look to claim Team GB’s second gold medal on the track in the men’s 1500m final, when he takes on his rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the defending champion.
Britain also have interest in the women’s 200m final after Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita both made it through their semi-finals. ‘I am definitely a contender,’ insisted Neita.
In the men’s 200m, Zharnel Hughes withdrew from Monday night’s heats due to ‘hamstring tightness’.
Meanwhile, Swedish superstar Mondo Duplantis retained his pole vault title as he broke his own world record with a jump of 6.25m.