Keely Hodgkinson skips down the steps in the stands of the Utilita Arena Birmingham, inundated by dozens of young girls desperate for an autograph or selfie. The Olympic champion gladly bounces from corner to corner over several hours to satisfy her adoring fans at last month’s self-titled Keely Klassic. In fact, Hodgkinson managed to work up a sweat despite not competing due to an ill-timed hamstring injury that dashed hopes of an indoor 800m world record.
Yet that setback has shone a light on the star Hodgkinson has become since that unforgettable summer evening in Paris, when the 22-year-old surged clear of her competition to seize a dominant gold on that purple Stade de France track.
