Hodgkinson, Werro and Broeders-Bol advance to European Athletics semi-finals

Keely Hodgkinson, Audrey Werro, and Femke Broeders-Bol have secured their places in the semi-finals of the women’s 800m at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The three athletes, widely regarded as the primary contenders for gold, advanced comfortably on Thursday, setting the stage for a decisive confrontation in the final.

Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion and holder of the previous two European titles, won her heat in 1:57.28. This performance marked the fastest time across all four heats held on Tuesday morning. The 24-year-old Briton, who is targeting a third consecutive European 800m gold on home soil, described the race as comfortable, noting that the rising standard in the event brings out the best in her.

Swiss athlete Audrey Werro also advanced without issue, winning her heat in 1:57.83. Werro has had a formidable outdoor season, including a victory over Hodgkinson earlier this year where she ran the fastest time for 43 years. Her best effort of 1:53.80 stands as the third-fastest time in history, positioning her as a significant threat to Hodgkinson’s dominance.

Femke Broeders-Bol, the Dutch two-time world 400m hurdles champion who switched events this season, finished first in her heat with a time of 1:59.96. The fast-improving hurdler joins the other two favourites as they close in on the final, where Hodgkinson aims to add to her collection of major titles.

Following her race, Hodgkinson was briefly interrupted by Italy’s Eloisa Coiro, who praised the Briton as an inspiration on and off the track. Hodgkinson acknowledged the physical demands of her campaign, stating that her shape has been present all year despite recent setbacks. She emphasised that championships offer a fresh start and that the increased competition level is beneficial for the sport.

Former Olympic and world long jump champion Greg Rutherford, watching from the Alexander Stadium, observed that the three top contenders made their races look significantly easier than the rest of the field. He noted that while records may eventually fall, the immediate focus remains on medals, though the presence of the three best European athletes creates an opportunity for exceptional performances.

Werro, who took world indoor silver behind Hodgkinson in March, highlighted the mutual benefit of the high standard among the rivals. She stated that the group can push each other, expressing excitement for the upcoming rounds. Hodgkinson echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the competitive environment raises the bar for everyone involved.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, with the final following shortly after. Hodgkinson is currently closing in on Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 1983 world record of 1:53.28, having recently improved her British record to 1:54.33. The event continues to draw attention as one of the most competitive fields in recent European athletics history.