World Lead for Audrey Werro
There were many highlights of the Bauhaus Stockholm Diamond League but the one that stood out for me was the women’s 800m. At the end of May, Keely spoke to the GB athletics writers and was inevitably asked about whether breaking the World 800m record of 1:53.28, set by Czechoslovakia’s Jarmila Kratochvílová on July 26, was feasible, and specifically whether it might happen in London this summer. Keely, of course, broke the world indoor record of 1:55.82 set by Jolanda Ceplak on 3 March 2002 – ironically the date of Keely’s birth – earlier this year with a run of 1:54.87.
Keely gave the British press a sensible answer: yes, it was possible; yes, she would love to break it at the London Diamond League; but it would depend on how she was feeling, the conditions, etc., and she had other goals like winning the European Championship.
In Stockholm, Keely ran an outstanding race, setting a new GB record of 1:54.33. The problem was that in Stockholm, that time was only worth second place. The winner was Audrey Werro of Switzerland in 1:53.98, a World Lead, a Diamond League record, and a national record.
Hodgkinson seemed to be in control of the race, letting Werro lead but following her closely before overtaking her on the home straight, but Werro was not beaten, and she found the speed and strength to pass and hold off Hodgkinson to win by 0.35 seconds.
Werro said afterward: “I still need to process. I am still in shock at this performance! Today I was in great shape, I was ready mentally and also physically, so it was a good day for me. It was not my main goal to follow the pacemaker, but the race went that way, so I had to run just behind her. When she dropped out, I decided to follow Keely as long as possible and gave it everything I had. It’s really crazy, I need some time to process what just happened now, but I am so happy with my time and everything”.
Keely commented: “Massive respect to Audrey – that was incredible racing from her, and she helped me to run faster today, I was glad of her pushing me throughout the race and then fighting me to the line at the end – but I won’t let that happen again. I wasn’t expecting that from her today, and I thought she’d come back to me at the end, but such a surprise is good for me and for each other, and it’s really great for the event; it’s getting so much faster now. This is the first time I’ve raced back-to-back races over 400m [in Rome this week] and 800m, but I didn’t feel the 400m was still in my legs. I’ve been focusing my training on the 400m recently, and now it’s time to switch my attention back to 800m training. Today is very encouraging for me. I’ve got a plan, and it’s still only just June, so there’s plenty of time to come during such a busy season. The European Champs will be such a great battle between us, and it’s so fun to be a part of such an exciting time for 800m running. It is about getting the best out of me, and I still believe in myself – the world record is still my goal in London next month, I still believe I can do it”.
With the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham in August, the prospect of a rematch is really exciting.
