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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle

Hodgkinson’s 800m showdown headlines mouthwatering European Championships

Keely Hodgkinson
Keely Hodgkinson believes she may need to think on her feet while racing. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

They say betting is a mug’s game. But here are two predictions to take to the bank. The European Athletics Championships this week in Birmingham, with the BBC shoving its considerable heft behind it, will be far bigger than people expect. And the women’s 800m final on Friday night, featuring three of the best female stars in any sport, should shine as brightly as a supernova.

The list of great athletes who will grace the Alexander Stadium in the coming days is long and lustrous. Mondo Duplantis, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yaroslava Mahuchikh are all Olympic and world champions and world record holders. Amy Hunt, Matt Hudson-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson should also do Britain proud. But no event is more anticipated than the women’s 800m.

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