Tokyo – Keely Hodgkinson is targeting gold at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, approaching the event with a newfound sense of calm after overcoming a challenging injury recovery and the pressures of Olympic expectation. The 800m silver medalist from Paris 2024, Hodgkinson says she feels “chilling” and free from the intense pressure she experienced last year.
hodgkinson’s journey to contention has been marked by setbacks, including uncertainty about her participation in the Olympics just months before the Games. She revealed she was ”touch and go” to make the plane, but a training block in Portugal, where the heat “brought on my running,” proved pivotal. Despite achieving Olympic success in her new Nike kit in the Olympic colourway, Hodgkinson faced a difficult period, battling to regain fitness while simultaneously confronting negative commentary on social media.
The athlete openly discussed the impact of online criticism during her recovery. “People were assuming I was doing nothing,” she said, adding, “when you’re in a bad place anyway, negative comments stick out to you more.” Hodgkinson coped with these challenges by working with a psychologist to process her anger and frustration, and by utilizing the “block button” on social media – “That’s my favorite.”
Hodgkinson views the recent difficulties as a catalyst for personal growth. “It’s been quite a journey to get back here, but I wouldn’t change it,” she stated. “Going through it was probably one of the best things that could happen to me.” She believes the experience has made her “a better version of me,” teaching her valuable lessons about self-awareness and resilience.
crucially, Hodgkinson feels liberated from the weight of expectation that defined her previous competitions.”Nothing could be worse than last year,” she explained.”That was so much pressure. I’ve experienced it and I know how to deal with it.” Looking ahead to Tokyo,Hodgkinson is resolute in her ambition: “I have to walk away with the gold and hopefully I will.”
