Keely Hodgkinson ran a huge personal best to win the London Diamond League and become the sixth fastest women in history over 800m.
Hodgkinson’s time of 1:54.61 was also a British record and the best time in the world this year, and cemented her status as the women to beat at the Paris Olympic Games, which open on Friday.
She led throughout the race and streaked away from fellow Briton Jemma Reekie in the final 100m, with Georgia Bell coming in third to complete a British one-two-three. Both Reekie and Bell also recorded personal bests.
Hodgkinson glanced at the clock as she crossed the line and smothered her face with her hands in shock at her achievement.
“I felt really good today, I just wanted to go for it and see what was there,” she told the BBC. “It was a little bit of bravery and fearlessness with a great atmosphere like this, I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.
“It’s so nice when you’re walking through and you hear people shouting your name. The Brits know how to put on an athletics meet, I wish there were more in this country because it’s the best crowd I’ve ever run in front of.
“I’m feeling really good and confident ahead of Paris. Obviously the main aim is just to get to the final first and then once we’re there we can discuss getting medals.”
