Keely’s so special, says medallist’s ‘fairy godfather’
THE millionaire who sponsored silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson has paid tribute to her ‘incredible’ achievement at the Olympics.
Liverpool-born Barrie Wells stepped in after 19-year-old student Keely missed out on funding from British Athletics.
‘Somebody described me as the Fairy Godfather or Fairy Godmother, I’m not sure which,’ he said yesterday, adding that after her second place in the 800m final: ‘She finishes faster than anyone in the world. Incredible achievement.’
The businessman was alerted to
Keely’s talent by Jenny Meadows, whose husband Trevor
Painter is the teenager’s coach.
Mr Wells explained: ‘They said, “This kid is so special”, so I watched her race a couple of times. She was basically being funded by her mum and dad, who had three other kids. ‘I thought, “This girl is so special, I’m going to become the National Lottery”. I just couldn’t believe she wasn’t being funded.’
He matched Keely’s £15,000 a year Lottery funding, allowing her to go to Florida in April for a month’s training in preparation for Tokyo. Mr Wells did have accreditation for the Games but pulled out due to Covid restrictions on travelling.
Instead, he watched Keely, who studies at Leeds Beckett University, win silver from his Lancashire home, where he was ‘leaping around like a bloody idiot’.
The 81-year-old, a former 400m runner, has made millions creating financial companies. In 2008, he decided to put his money to good use by sponsoring athletes.
‘It’s stupid to die rich when you can get immense enjoyment giving your money away,’ he said.
After Keely’s season finishes in September, Mr Wells will fulfil his promise on the ‘incentive’ he gave the young Aston Martin fan.
‘I said to Keely, “Yeah, OK. You make the final, and I’ll get you one of those – because you can hire them”.’