History of Keely Hodgkinson in Timeline

Keely Nicole Hodgkinson is a British middle-distance runner specializing in the 800 meters. Notably, she secured the gold medal in the 800 meters event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

1970: Marilyn Neufville's Gold Medal Win

Marilyn Neufville won gold in the 400 meters at the age of 17 in 1970, becoming a younger UK gold medalist than Keely Hodgkinson.

1974: Previous Youngest Winner

The previous youngest winner of the 800 meters was in 1974, a record later broken by Keely Hodgkinson.

1977: Jane Colebrook's European Championship Win

Jane Colebrook became the youngest European 800m champion in 1977, a record later broken by Keely Hodgkinson.

1978: European U20 Best in 800m

The European U20 best for the women's 800m was set in 1978.

1981: Kirsty Wade's British U20 Record

In 1981, Kirsty Wade set a British U20 record, which Keely Hodgkinson would later break.

1985: Previous Championship Record

In 1985, a championship record was set, which Keely Hodgkinson would later break in 2014.

1988: Breaking Charlotte Moore's Junior Record and Securing Olympic Qualification

In May 2021, Keely Hodgkinson achieved her first major outdoor victory and broke Charlotte Moore's long-standing UK junior record. She also secured her spot on the British Olympic team after winning at the National Championships.

1995: Kelly Holmes's British Record

In 1995, Kelly Holmes set a British record in the 800 meters, which Keely Hodgkinson would later break in 2020.

March 2002: Early Life and Family Background

Keely Hodgkinson was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, and raised in Atherton. Her parents, Rachel and Dean, had a history in running, with her mother training with Leigh Harriers and her father participating in the London Marathon.

March 2002: Birth of Keely Hodgkinson

Keely Nicole Hodgkinson was born in March 2002.

2004: Breaking the 2-Minute Barrier and Setting New Records

In 2004, Meskerem Legesse set a record in the indoor 800 meters, which Keely Hodgkinson broke in January 2021, becoming the first junior woman to break the 2-minute mark. Athing Mu then surpassed Hodgkinson's record the following month.

2004: Olga Kotlyarova's Indoor 600m Record

Olga Kotlyarova set the world indoor record in the 600m in 2004.

2012: Early Athletic Success and Inspiration

At the age of 10, Keely Hodgkinson finished second in the 500 meters at the British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships. Her father encouraged her running career, and she was inspired by Jessica Ennis-Hill's gold medal win at the 2012 London Olympics.

2012: Barrie Wells' Support of Athletes at the London Olympics

Businessman Barrie Wells provided funding to 18 athletes for the 2012 London Olympics.

2013: Continued Success in Running

In 2013, at age 10, Keely Hodgkinson had an impressive winning streak and became the first Leigh Harriers girl to achieve a particular cross country title. Her success continued on the track, winning in the 800 and 1200 meters.

2014: Dominating Performances and Championship Records

At 12 years old, Keely Hodgkinson won all of her track races in 2014, setting championship records. Her performance in the 1200 meters remained noteworthy even years later.

2014: ECCA English Championships Participation

Keely Hodgkinson competed in the ECCA English Championships.

2015: Aníta Hinriksdóttir's Continental Record

Aníta Hinriksdóttir set a continental record in 2015, which Keely Hodgkinson later surpassed.

2015: Surgery and Specialization

In 2015, Keely Hodgkinson underwent mastoidectomy surgery to address a tumor on her ear, leaving her with 95% deafness in that ear. She also experienced knee problems, requiring her to adjust her training. Despite these setbacks, she began specializing in the 800 meters.

2016: ECCA English Championships and ESAA Championships Participation

Keely Hodgkinson participated in both the ECCA English Championships and the ESAA Championships.

2017: ECCA English Championships and ESAA Championships Participation

Keely Hodgkinson participated in both the ECCA English Championships and the ESAA Championships.

2017: First Gold Medal and Continued Success

Keely Hodgkinson, at 15 years old, won her first gold medal at the England Championships in 2017, setting a lifetime best in the process. She also secured the 1500m title at the UK School Games.

June 2018: England U20 Champion and European Success

At 16, Keely Hodgkinson became the England U20 champion in the 800 meters. In June 2018, she continued her winning streak, breaking records and receiving recognition as Wigan Borough Council Sports Achiever of the Year.

2018: ECCA English Championships and ESAA Championships Participation

Keely Hodgkinson participated in both the ECCA English Championships and the ESAA Championships, achieving her best results with a fifth-place finish in the 5km at the English Championships and a second-place finish in the 3.8km at the ESAA Championships.

2019: Overcoming Injury for European Bronze

Keely Hodgkinson faced shin problems throughout much of 2019. However, she persevered and earned a bronze medal at the European U20 Championships, achieving a new personal best.

2019: International Debut and British Outdoor Title

Keely Hodgkinson made her international debut in 2019 and claimed the British outdoor title, becoming the youngest winner in the 800 meters since 1974.

2019: Record Only Bettered

Keely Hodgkinson's record from 2014 was only surpassed in 2019.

2020: Olympic Silver Medal in Tokyo

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a 19-year-old Keely Hodgkinson won the silver medal and broke the British record previously held by Kelly Holmes since 1995.

2020: Begins Criminology Studies

In 2020, Keely Hodgkinson began studying criminology at Leeds Beckett University.

2020: Tokyo Olympics Postponement

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021.

2021: Silver Medal and Record-Breaking Performance at the Tokyo Olympics

At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Keely Hodgkinson won the silver medal in the 800m, setting a new personal best and breaking Kelly Holmes' 26-year-old British record with a time of 1:55.88.

2021: Financial Support and Athlete Ambassador

Before October 2021, Keely Hodgkinson was financially supported by her parents and businessman Barrie Wells. She also became an athlete ambassador for the Wells Trust.

2021: European Indoor Champion and Diamond League Title

In 2021, Keely Hodgkinson became the European indoor champion and also won the Diamond League 800m title.

2021: Record-Breaking Indoor 800m Performance and Injury

Keely Hodgkinson set a world-leading indoor 800m time of 1:57.20, breaking the British record and setting the fastest time in 20 years. However, she withdrew from the World Indoors in Belgrade due to a quad injury.

2021: Gap Year from University

Keely Hodgkinson took a gap year from her studies in 2021.

2021: Silver Medal at the Tokyo Olympics

Keely Hodgkinson won a silver medal in the 800m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021.

2022: World Championship and Commonwealth Games Silver Medals

Keely Hodgkinson won silver medals at both the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

2022: Emergence of New Rival Mary Moraa

Mary Moraa emerged as a new rival to Keely Hodgkinson in 800m races.

2023: Third Fastest on All-Time List

As of 2023, Keely Hodgkinson's time in the 1200 meters remained the third fastest on the British girl's all-time list.

2023: World Championship Silver Medal and Diamond League Title

In 2023, Keely Hodgkinson won another silver medal at the World Championships and was also the Diamond League 800m champion.

2023: World Indoor Best in 600m and European Title Defense

Keely Hodgkinson set a world indoor best in the 600m (1:23.41), won the World Indoor Tour in the 800m, and defended her European Indoor title in Istanbul.