“`html
Swiss runner Audrey Werro claimed the women’s 800 metres title at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, edging out Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in a closely contested final. Werro’s winning time of 1:54.81 established a new championship record, surpassing a mark that had remained untouched since 1982. Hodgkinson finished second in 1:55.01, with Belgium’s Femke Broeders-Bol securing bronze in what proved to be one of the week’s most competitive races.
The British athlete had been seeking her third consecutive European title but saw her streak halted by Werro, who has emerged as a formidable rival after previously clocking the third-fastest time in history at the Stockholm Diamond League in June. Despite the disappointing result, Hodgkinson remained philosophical about the outcome, acknowledging the quality of her competitor while expressing confidence in her overall fitness levels this season. She described the race as closely contested and noted her determination to fight back in the final stages, though ultimately Werro held stronger down the stretch.
Hodgkinson’s campaign this summer had included navigating a training accident that left her with injuries, though she recovered to win at the London Diamond League. She opted to skip the Commonwealth Games to prioritise this championship appearance. The 24-year-old views the European title loss positively within the broader context of her season, describing herself as being in exceptional shape and noting the valuable lessons learned from managing challenges throughout the year.
The rivalry between Hodgkinson and Werro appears set to define women’s 800 metres racing in the coming years, with both athletes eyeing the world record of 1:53.28 ahead of future Olympic campaigns. The competitive depth in the event, demonstrated by three world-class performers battling for medals, promises to elevate standards further as the sport advances.
“`
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
About the Author
