Keely Hodgkinson secured her place in the European 800m semi-finals after a dominant performance in the opening round. The Olympic champion finished with a time of 1 minute and 57.28 seconds, a personal best for a heat race, while appearing to ease off the pace before crossing the finish line.

Following the race, Hodgkinson drew attention for wearing sunglasses, a departure from her usual racing attire. When asked about the choice, she jokingly attributed it to the sunny conditions and a desire to prevent wrinkles, humorously referencing a wish to avoid the need for Botox in the future.

This victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final round. Analysts are looking toward a potential competitive showdown between Hodgkinson and other top contenders, including Swiss athlete Audrey Werro and Dutch athlete Femke Bol. Hodgkinson’s performance suggests she remains in peak physical condition as she moves forward in the tournament.