Keeley Hodgkinson Aims for Women’s 800m World Record at London Diamond League
Last updated: 29/05/26 8:15am
Olympic 800m champion Keeley Hodgkinson is gearing up to launch her outdoor season next week with a clear goal in mind: breaking Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing women’s 800m world record. Hodgkinson will showcase her talent at the Diamond League meeting scheduled for July in London, an event that holds significant importance for her aspirations.
Hodgkinson recently set her first career world record in indoor 800m in Libin, clocking in at 1:54.87 and surpassing a 24-year-old milestone established on the day she was born. Her coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, are confident that Hodgkinson has the potential to exceed Kratochvilova’s outdoor record of 1:53.28, which has stood since 1983. However, achieving this feat will require optimal conditions along with her peak performance.
With just 50 days remaining until the Diamond League returns to London, Hodgkinson expressed her enthusiasm for competing on home soil. She stated, “I’m really excited about London, all the crowds and everything else. It’s going to be a lot of fun competing as a Brit, and that’s what I’m looking forward to most this season.”
Hodgkinson clarified that the decision to target Kratochvilova’s record is a team-oriented approach, with careful consideration from her coaches. “We have a plan for what we want to achieve, but sometimes sport has its own agenda. My training has been consistent, and I’m in great shape,” she noted.
Concerns Over Performance-Enhancing Drugs Addressed
While some critics question Kratochvilova’s accomplishments, alleging performance-enhancing drug use, the 75-year-old has consistently denied these allegations, with no substantial evidence to support the claims. Recently, the Enhanced Games, an organization that permits the use of substances under medical supervision, drew controversy by hosting its inaugural event in Las Vegas.
Despite offering substantial cash rewards for breaking world records, participation in the Enhanced Games has been met with skepticism. Only one athlete, Greek swimmer Kristian Kolomeev, managed to set a new standard time while utilizing equipment banned in formal competitions, further fueling debates around the integrity of such competitions.
Following the establishment of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2017, World Athletics has worked diligently to protect the sport’s reputation under the leadership of former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe. Hodgkinson emphasized the importance of clean sport, recognizing the dedication and hard work athletes put into their training. She dismissed the enhanced games as “nonsense,” reaffirming her trust in the integrity of her fellow competitors.
