It’s the Keely wild show
TEENAGE KICK SEALS STUNNING SILVER
Hopefully there will be more moments like this
KEELY HODGKINSON smashed Kelly Holmes’ British record as she won a stunning silver medal.
The teenage sensation vowed to run without fear in her first global final and the tactic paid off.
She sprinted home to take almost half a second off Dame Kelly’s 800m best, which had stood since before Hodgkinson was born.
And the 19-year-old revealed the inspiration to do so came from none other than the two-time former champion herself.
“Kelly is a massive legend and has been sending me messages the past few days,” said the Wigan youngster, who clocked 1min 55.88secs behind US winner Athing Mu – herself also only 19.
“She gave me words of wisdom and belief. ‘You have got this, you know what to do, get the job done, conserve energy’ – that sort of thing.
“To have someone like her believe in me is just amazing.
“I am in shock about that time, but I couldn’t be happier.”
Holmes set her record of 1:56.21 in 1995 before going on to become double Olympic champion nine years later in Athens when Hodgkinson was only two.
“Fantastic running by Keely,” Holmes posted on social media.
“Only 19, a silver medal and broke my 26 years British record [it’s OK I am not crying, it’s about time!!]
“So pleased for her, Keely’s maturity as an athlete is phenomenal. I knew she could medal from seeing her in the heats and semis.
“Great tactician, strong, fast and left nothing behind! Women’s middle distance running in the UK is incredible right now!”
That much is clear after Jemma Reekie, 1:56.90, and Alex Bell, 1:57.66, finished fourth and seventh respectively in personal bests.
The worry for Britain is that this was their first track and field medal and it is not obvious from where the next one is coming. For now though let us celebrate the emergence of a special talent – albeit one mocked by team-mates for boiling milk in a kettle.
The only time Hodgkinson surprised herself was when emotion got the better of her.
“I’m crying, I don’t cry!” she said. “My friends will be like, is she crying?!”
Those same friends, as well as family, had been with her every step of the way, having written messages of support on her spikes. She promised to treat herself to one “guilt-free” night out when she gets home, but has already set her sights on new goals.
“Athing and me are both 19 so hopefully we’ve got long careers ahead of us and many more battles to come,” said Keely, who would not have been anywhere near the Olympics but for the postponement.
“Sometimes people say we’re too young. No, age is just a number.
“I want to be one of the best in the world. I’m going to do everything I can to be that.
“As long as I keep doing what I’m doing and stay injury free, hopefully there will be many more moments like this.”