Breaking One of Track’s Oldest Records
Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has revealed she feels nearer than ever to achieving one of athletics’ most enduring milestones the longstanding women’s 800m world record. After a standout indoor season and a strong start to 2026, Hodgkinson appears well positioned to challenge the outdoor record that has remained untouched for over 40 years.
A Record That Has Withstood Decades
The women’s 800m outdoor world record of 1:53.28 was set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in Munich in 1983. Since then, generations of athletes have attempted to surpass it, but none have succeeded. At 23, Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion, believes she could finally be the one to do it.
“This is literally the oldest record on the track,” Hodgkinson told BBC Sport. “I feel this is the closest I’ve ever been to it. I truly believe it’s possible, though everything needs to align perfectly.”
Indoor Success Sparks Confidence
Hodgkinson’s confidence has grown following a record breaking indoor performance in Liévin, France, where she ran 1:54.87, surpassing the previous indoor mark set by Jolanda Čeplak in 2002. This achievement demonstrates she is in peak form and capable of even faster times under optimal conditions.
Her coach noted that with the right circumstances, she could push her times even further, fueling optimism for a potential outdoor record attempt later this year.
Overcoming Setbacks
Hodgkinson’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. After her Olympic gold in Paris 2024, a hamstring injury disrupted her 2025 season. Nevertheless, she showed remarkable resilience, returning to claim a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships.
“After the Olympics, things didn’t go as planned,” she reflected. “It forced me to reassess and rebuild, but overcoming that has made me stronger, and now I’m ready to reap the rewards of that work.”
Why the Record Matters
Breaking the outdoor 800m world record would secure Hodgkinson’s place among the sport’s all time greats. The record’s longevity and the unique combination of speed and endurance it demands make it one of the toughest marks to surpass.
Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics and former world record-holder himself, believes Hodgkinson has the talent and determination needed to succeed.
Hodgkinson’s near-term focus includes the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, where she enters as the favorite. Following that, she will shift attention to the outdoor season, targeting top international meets, including potential record attempts in front of a home crowd in London.
While she faces emerging rivals such as Femke Bol, Hodgkinson sees the growing competition as motivation to push herself even further.
For Hodgkinson, 2026 could be the year history is rewritten. Coming off a record setting indoor season, stronger than ever post injury, and brimming with confidence, she says this is the closest she’s ever felt to breaking the sport’s longest standing world record and she’s ready to go after it with everything she has.