Keely Hodgkinson pipped to 800m crown despite personal best at Stockholm Diamond League
Keely Hodgkinson had to settle for second place behind Switzerland’s Audrey Werro in the 800m at the Diamond League in Stockholm . After Hodgkinson finished seventh in the 400m in Rome on Thursday, …
Keely Hodgkinson had to settle for second place behind Switzerland’s Audrey Werro in the 800m at the Diamond League in Stockholm . After Hodgkinson f
Read Full Story at Yahoo Sports →Why This Matters
The defeat underscores the razor-thin margins separating elite middle-distance runners today, where a single tactical misstep can erase months of training. It also highlights the growing depth of women’s 800m, where European athletes are now challenging the traditional dominance of African and Caribbean competitors.
Background Context
Hodgkinson’s personal best of 1:57.91 in Stockholm marked her fastest time since 2023, yet it wasn’t enough to overcome Werro’s late surge—a pattern that has defined the Swiss runner’s rise over the past year. European athletics has seen a resurgence in the 800m, with Werro joining the ranks of athletes like Jemma Reekie and Natoya Goule, signaling a shift from the continent’s historical reliance on African talent.
What Happens Next
Hodgkinson’s focus will now shift to the World Championships in Tokyo, where Werro is likely to be the one to beat unless the Briton refines her closing speed. Meanwhile, Werro’s victory raises questions about whether Hodgkinson’s tactical approach—often reliant on front-running—needs adjustment against increasingly aggressive competitors.
Bigger Picture
This race reflects a broader trend in middle-distance running: the erosion of long-held dominance by a handful of nations, with European athletes now consistently breaking into the top tier. It also spotlights the tactical evolution of the 800m, where runners must balance endurance, speed, and race intelligence in an era of unprecedented parity.
