Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has been forced to withdraw from her own event, the Keely Klassic, this weekend due to a hamstring injury.
The track star sustained the injury during preparations for the inaugural competition, which was set to take place at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Saturday.
The 22-year-old middle distance runner had been aiming to break the women’s 800m world indoor record at the event.
Taking to Instagram, Hodgkinson expressed her disappointment: “I am so gutted and disappointed to be announcing this, unfortunately after a great week of preparations for this weekend, yesterday I picked up a hamstring injury, which means I’ll have to sit this one out this weekend and not compete.”
Keely Hodgkinson suffered a hamstring injury ahead of the Keely Klassic
PA/Instagram
“I’m devastated to be missing the launch of the first Keely Klassic,” she added, noting that her team had worked hard to put her in “a perfect position to race.”
The British star had been hoping to surpass the current indoor record of one minute 55.82 seconds, set by Jolanda Ceplak in 2002.
Notably, the existing record was established on Hodgkinson’s birthday, adding extra significance to her planned attempt.
The record-breaking bid was meant to be a highlight of the inaugural Keely Klassic event in Birmingham.
Despite her withdrawal from competition, Hodgkinson confirmed she will still attend Saturday’s event to support her fellow athletes.
“This event was never just about me,” she wrote on Instagram. “From the start, it was about bringing fresh energy to our sport, celebrating British talent, and connecting with the next generation of fans.”
“I will still be there on Saturday and still super excited to be supporting my teammates, seeing the crowd and watching an incredible day of athletics.”
Keely Hodgkinson won gold in the 800m at Paris 2024
PA
Hodgkinson’s setback comes after a remarkable period of success, including winning Olympic gold in Paris last summer with a time of 1:56.72.
She defeated Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Kenya’s Mary Moraa to secure Team GB’s only track and field gold at the Games.
The champion’s achievements were further recognised when she claimed the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in December.
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Keely Hodgkinson won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December
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She also added the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award in January.
The timing of Hodgkinson’s injury raises concerns with the World Indoor Athletics Championships set to begin in March.
While no recovery timeline has been confirmed, the Olympic champion will likely be targeting those indoor championships.
The hamstring setback follows a previous injury that had already forced her to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.