22-year-old Hodgkinson wins 800m gold for GB to end wait for global title

Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson dominated the Women’s Olympic 800-metre final to win gold in Paris and end her wait for a global title.

The 22-year-old had finished second at successive World Championships after claiming a stunning silver in her Olympic debut in Tokyo as a teenager in 2021.

Crossing the line in 1 minute 56.72 seconds, Hodgkinson could not hide her emotion as the magnitude of her achievement struck, instinctively punching the air in delight and later donning a crown as she celebrated with the crowd.

Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma (1:57.15) won silver, while world champion Mary Moraa (1:57.42) had to settle for third place.

Hodgkinson, already a four-time European champion in as many years as a professional, posed for photos and signed autographs as she savoured the golden moment she had long dreamed of.

This was Great Britain's first Olympic track title since Mo Farah won the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres at Rio 2016.

Hodgkinson is only the 10th British woman to win athletics gold at a Games.

Meanwhile, Team China currently leads the Paris Olympics medal tally with 21 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze, the United States of America is in second place with 20 gold, 30 silver and 28 bronze, Australia is in 3rd place with 13 gold, 11 silver and 8 bronze while hosts France are in 4th place with 12 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze.

BBC