Women’s 800 semi-finals
The women’s 800 is the most anticipated final in the European Championship. Keely Hodgkinson, Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol!
I have already written about this preliminary round, which had enough excitement to make it to the final.
The Women’s 800 meter Prelims in Birmingham Delivers – runblogrun
The semifinals did not disappoint either. It was 2 semifinals, first 3 in each, and the two fastest athletes not in the top three.
The second race was straightforward with Hodgkinson winning from Broeders-Bol, both in the 1.57s, and Eloisa Coiro third to take the three automatic Qualification places. It was the first race with all the drama. It was a tight race with most of the field still in contention. Then, on the final bend, Audrey Werro and Gabija Galvydyte tangled and went down. Jemma Reekie, who had been in a good position on the top bend, finished well to win in 1:58.61 from Anaïs Bourgoin and Veronica Vancardo. The two-time places went to Valentina Rosamilia and Clara Liberman.
Then the judges reinstated Audrey Werro and Gabija Galvydyte, which seemed the right decision for the event, the athletes and the crowd. That is your correspondent’s view, but what did the athletes think:
13 Aug 2026
Femke BROEDERS-BOL (NED)
- 2nd 1.57.46 Q
“I was quite nervous about my first-ever semi-final in the 800m. The technical part is still quite new to me, but I’m happy to get through it and will be ready tomorrow. In the final, I will go for it, especially with my profile. I will try to put together my best race. Although the 800m isn’t like the hurdles where I can to plan my perfect race, to plan my steps between each hurdle. After this, I’ll talk with my coaches about what I can do better. One of the reasons I love the 800m is because I love to race. It’s different in the 800m because I’m usually the favorite. It’s a privilege. I may be small on paper, but I feel so relaxed. Not being in the spotlight has its advantages as well.”
13 Aug 2026
Audrey WERRO (SUI)
- 8th 2:35.35
“It’s such a shame what happened as I’m in really good shape. I really don’t know what happened. I will watch it on the video, but I can’t really explain it. I was running in the front, and everything was good, and suddenly I was on the ground. It’s difficult because I know I would have made the final. But when something like that happens, there’s nothing you can do. The race was a bit messy behind me. I was in the front because I like to stay clear of the group. I thought I was safer at the front. Unfortunately, these things happen. I just have some scratches, and my bib number was ripped off, but I’m OK. The body is fine. I hope my team can do something so tomorrow I can still run in the final. Let’s see.”
13 Aug 2026
Jemma REEKIE (GBR)
- 1st 1:58.61
“It was a bit of a messy race, but I managed to keep calm with all of that going on, and now I’m excited I’m in the final. I don’t know what happened (to Audrey Werro). I’m just glad I wasn’t involved. I just focused on the finish line. In the corner of my eye, I saw somebody go down, but I didn’t know who it was. I wasn’t where I should have been and I thought I better make a move. None of the race went to plan, but I’m really proud of how I ran today. It didn’t go to plan, but I navigated through it. I’m really confident about the finals. I’m confident about the training I’ve done coming into the championships. I’ve not made a final in a long time, and I’m really happy to be back. None of us come here to walk away without a medal. I know it’ll be hard, but I’m up for the challenge. If I walked away with a medal, there would be a lot of celebrating going on from me and everyone in my team- it’s what we work for.”
