Launching your individual monitor meet and naming it after your self is one factor–however Nice Britain’s 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson didn’t cease there. On Wednesday, British Athletics revealed that the inaugural Keely Klassic monitor meet, set for Feb. 15 in Birmingham, will conclude with Hodgkinson attempting to interrupt the 800m world document, which has stood for 41 years.
The document of 1:53.28, set by Czechoslovak athlete Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983, is the longest-standing world document in athletics. Hodgkinson would wish to run greater than a second sooner than her private finest (1:54.61) to even come near taking it down. The run will mark Hodgkinson’s season opener and first race again from an harm that minimize her 2024 season brief.
On the Keely Klassic, Hodgkinson guarantees “a singular, immersive expertise that may mix elite competitors with an electrifying environment” and extends the assembly invitation to Nice Britain’s world-class monitor and area athletes.
Unimaginable scenes for @keelyhodgkinson! 🤩
The second she’s named BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months winner 2024 🏆✨#SPOTY pic.twitter.com/cwE33xO0z5
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2024
The disclosing comes lower than a day after Tuesday’s BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months (SPOTY) ceremony, the place Hodgkinson took centre stage. The 22-year-old is the primary monitor athlete to win since Mo Farah gained in 2017, and the primary feminine monitor athlete to win since 2004. Her win additionally marks the fourth consecutive yr {that a} lady has gained the award–the longest streak in historical past.
“I’m really in a little bit of shock,” Hodgkinson stated upon accepting the trophy. “I’m really extra excited for my coach, to be trustworthy, as a result of I wouldn’t be the place I’m with out his steering, [which] I’ve had since I used to be 17.”
“This yr has been completely unbelievable for me,” she continued. “I achieved all the pieces I got down to do on the out of doors monitor, which is form of uncommon, so I’m grateful to be on this place.”
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee was additionally a contender for the award.
Hodgkinson’s coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, had been awarded Coach(es) of the 12 months. Together with the Olympic 800m champion, the pair coaches Olympic 1,500m bronze medallist Georgia Bell.
Mondo Duplantis wins Sport Star of the 12 months
Pole vaulting legend Mondo Duplantis was additionally acknowledged on the occasion, successful World Sport Star of the 12 months. The Swedish-American world document holder was pitted in opposition to fellow sports activities icons, together with gymnast Simone Biles, WNBA participant Caitlin Clark and Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan.
“So sorry that I can’t be in attendance tonight–I’m again right here within the States proper now, coaching for the up and coming season. I do know I’m in nice firm–the largest legends of all time in sports activities have gained this award. This actually means rather a lot to me.”