Olympic Champion Keely Hodgkinson will make her long-awaited return from injury at the London Athletics Meet on Saturday, 19 July 2025, where she will race in the women’s 800m event.
The 23-year-old British middle-distance star had to withdraw from the Keely Klassic in Birmingham earlier this year due to a hamstring injury, but is now set to return to the track in the iconic London Stadium. Hodgkinson’s return is a highly anticipated moment, as she aims to build on her incredible achievements.
Hodgkinson’s Record-Breaking Performance in London
At last year’s London Athletics Meet, Hodgkinson set a meeting record, a national record, and a personal best with a stunning time of 1:54.61 in the 800m, propelling her to sixth in the world all-time rankings. This remarkable performance solidified her status as one of the world’s best middle-distance runners and fueled expectations for her future successes, including her gold medal ambitions for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Olympic Glory and Ambitious Goals for 2025
After winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris earlier this year, Hodgkinson is setting her sights on winning her first World Championship gold. Reflecting on her journey, Hodgkinson said: “That race in London last year really set me up for what I did in Paris. I’m now an Olympic champion, which is a pretty amazing thing to say out loud, but I still haven’t won world gold, so I have really big goals this summer.”
Hodgkinson, who was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2024, will be looking to showcase her speed and strength at the London Athletics Meet. “For me, that race really set me up for what I did in Paris. Now, I’m back in London, ready to take on the world’s best and set myself up for the World Championships in Tokyo,” she added.
The London Athletics Meet: Key Preparation for World Championships
The London Athletics Meet, which is the 11th meeting of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League, will provide the perfect platform for Hodgkinson to fine-tune her performance ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with a packed crowd and fierce competition, including several world-class athletes in the women’s 800m.
Hodgkinson’s Road to World Championship Glory
With her remarkable career already boasting Olympic silver, four senior European titles, and two World Championship silver medals, Hodgkinson’s return to action is generating excitement across the athletics world. The London race will serve as a key milestone on her path toward world gold, and fans can expect nothing less than a fierce battle as Hodgkinson prepares to defend her place among the world’s elite middle-distance runners.
