Keely Hodgkinson’s bid for European gold continued as she stormed into the final of the women’s 800m, moments after her rival Audrey Werro suffered a dramatic fall that initially put her place in Friday’s showpiece in doubt. The women’s 800m has become the must-watch event of the championships due to the anticipated three-way battle between Hodgkinson, Werro, and the versatile Femke Broeders-Bol.
Werro, the 22-year-old Swiss star who ran the fastest time for 43 years earlier this season, led from the start in the opening semi-final. The race was unfolding as expected until Werro suddenly stumbled and fell face-first onto the track with just under 140m of the race remaining. The impact was severe, leaving her in visible discomfort as she rolled onto her side, clutching her chest before eventually rising to finish the race at a slow jog.
“It really was a difficult thing to watch, and you’re just hoping at that point that there’s no serious injury,” noted commentators during the broadcast. Greg Rutherford, the former Olympic long jump champion, added that the hit on the track was particularly harsh given the surface conditions. Paula Radcliffe emphasized the necessity of Werro’s decision to finish the race, noting that completing the distance is the only criterion that allows an athlete to be advanced through an appeal process.
Initial confusion surrounded the cause of the fall, with experts like Steve Cram and Rutherford suggesting Werro may have tripped herself or clipped her own leg. However, a review of the footage revealed that France’s Anais Bourgoin had hit Werro’s right foot with her left hand, disrupting her rhythm. This successful appeal ensures Werro will join the final, which will now feature 10 athletes instead of nine, including Lithuanian runner Gabija Galvydyte, who was also impeded during the collision.
In the second semi-final, Hodgkinson maintained her composure, crossing the line first in one minute 57.38 seconds. The Olympic champion led from the start, holding off the challenge of Femke Broeders-Bol, a two-time world 400m hurdles champion who has successfully transitioned to the 800m this season. Radcliffe observed that Broeders-Bol appeared to have another gear but chose not to expend unnecessary energy.
Reflecting on the drama, Hodgkinson said TV that she had heard an “ooh” from the crowd, which she knew was never a good sign. “I hope she’s in the final tomorrow, that’d be a really exciting race,” Hodgkinson said prior to the confirmation of the appeal. She added that the high level of competition brings out the best in her, stating, “I love a good challenge. Hopefully it’ll be a good race, a clean race, nobody falling over.”
The rivalry is underscored by the historic context of the event. While no athlete has surpassed Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 1983 world record of 1:53.28, Werro has emerged as a formidable challenger. Earlier this season, Werro clocked 1:53.80, the third-fastest time in history, which is more than half a second faster than Hodgkinson’s personal best of 1:54.33.
Kratochvilova’s long-standing record remains a point of contention in the sport, with historical allegations of state-sponsored doping in her home country at the time, claims which she has consistently and strenuously denied. Despite these historical shadows, the current generation of athletes is focused on the immediate future of the discipline.
Hodgkinson’s consistency remains unmatched; she has recorded three of the nine fastest women’s 800m times in history during an unbeaten outdoor season. Her tactical maturity was on full display in Birmingham as she navigated the semi-final field with ease, ensuring her place in the final without incident.
Jemma Reekie, a fellow Briton, also secured her spot in the final, capitalizing on the chaos in the first semi-final to secure a victory. The inclusion of Werro and Galvydyte adds significant depth to a field already stacked with world-class talent, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.
As the dust settles on the semi-finals, the focus shifts to Friday’s final. The event is expected to be a blockbuster, featuring three of the most prominent names in world athletics. The successful appeal has effectively saved what many fans and analysts considered a must-see clash of styles and speed.
Ultimately, the drama of the semi-final serves as a reminder of the fine margins in elite athletics. Whether it is the tactical maneuvering of Hodgkinson or the resilience of Werro, the final promises to be a defining moment of the European Athletics Championships, provided all athletes remain healthy and ready to compete for the gold medal.
The Swiss 22-year-old got back to her feet a moment later and finished the race in last place, grimacing and clutching her chest.
I don’t know what it looked like.”
Werro herself did not know, telling TV: “I was feeling great but unfortunately I don’t know, something happened and then I was on the ground.”
These tracks are incredibly hard, especially when they’ve been sun-baked,” former Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford said on TV.
The 24-year-old has won the past two European titles and will be hoping to defend her crown following a successful season that has seen her break the long-standing indoor 800m world record, win her first world title and improve her British record outdoors.
Still largely an unknown in the 800m after deciding to switch disciplines from 400m hurdles, the Dutch athlete impressed at the Paris Diamond League event in June with a time of 1:55.60.
“We know Keely has the endurance, but does Femke have that endurance to bounce back for three rounds?
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