Hodgkinson targets world record with Diamond League speed trial in Rome
Keely Hodgkinson records personal best in 400m debut, while teammates Caudery and Hunter Bell secure victories in field and distance events.
British middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson has utilised her debut appearance in the women’s 400m at the Diamond League in Rome as a strategic component of her campaign to challenge the long-standing women’s outdoor 800m world record. The Paris Olympic gold medallist finished seventh in the race, clocking a new personal best of 51.14 seconds in an event won by Henriette Jaeger.
The performance at the Stadio Olimpico was explicitly framed as preparation for a summer bid to break Jarmila Kratochvilova’s record, which has stood for nearly 43 years. Hodgkinson, a two-time world indoor champion, indicated that the shorter distance was being used to develop the raw speed required for the 800m title challenge later in the season.
Her British teammate Amber Anning also competed in the 400m, finishing in fifth place with a time of 50.19 seconds. Hodgkinson finished behind Anning in the standings, marking a competitive outing for the squad as they navigate the transition between Olympic success and the upcoming record attempts.
Beyond the track events, the British contingent secured victories in other disciplines. Molly Caudery claimed the pole vault title with a season’s best jump of 4.80m, while fellow indoor champion Georgia Hunter Bell won the women’s 1500m with a time of 3:58.63.
The meeting also featured results from other international athletes, including Olympic champion Julien Alfred in the women’s 200m and Noah Lyles in the men’s 100m. Lyles, who won in 9.88 seconds, stated he knew the race was won 10 metres from the finish line. Other British athletes, including Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith, placed fourth and fifth in the women’s 200m respectively, while Jeremiah Azu finished ninth in the men’s 100m.
