Keely Hodgkinson earned a silver medal in the 800-meter race at the European Athletics Championships, narrowly beaten by Audrey Werro, who set a new championship record.
Werro, despite a fall in her semi-final earlier in the week that led to her reinstatement, showed resilience and maturity to hold off Hodgkinson in the closing stages of the final. Her winning time broke a championship record that had stood since 1982. "I knew I could be European champion one day. I hope to be faster and faster next year," Werro stated, referencing her father's encouragement to "be a lion" on the track.
This victory marks Werro's first senior international title and signals her emergence as a significant rival to Hodgkinson for major championships in the future. Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe commented on Werro's performance, noting the young athlete's ability to "take the race by the scruff of the neck" and possessing "another gear."
Despite the disappointment of not winning gold, Hodgkinson expressed pride in her ability to "continue to fight." This silver medal represents her 12th senior international award. Over the past four years, Hodgkinson has consistently improved her personal best times, with the exception of a season impacted by injury. She has previously indicated a belief that the world record is within her reach, and her future competitions may require her to reach new heights to secure the titles she desires.