Keely Hodgkinson stood in total disbelief after winning Olympic silver three years ago - but at Paris 2024 the British 800m star only has gold on her mind.
Keely Hodgkinson stood with her eyes and mouth wide open in astonishment, hands fixed either side of a head dizzied by two laps that had changed everything."It's quite a privileged position to be in," Hodgkinson tells BBC Sport.At the last Olympics, Hodgkinson was 19. Tokyo 2020 was an opportunity which may not have happened had the Games not been postponed by 12 months by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I'm still young but there was no pressure then, whereas now I feel like I have a little bit to live up to," Hodgkinson says. Before Paris, Hodgkinson will aim to make an early statement when the 'big three' of the women's 800m go head-to-head at the Prefontaine Classic, which doubles as the Eugene Diamond League, live on BBC Three from 21:00 BST on Saturday.
Often left floored by the gruelling sessions she has been put through by coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows in pursuit of her goal throughout warm weather training in South Africa, Hodgkinson's streak of silvers have only intensified her determination to celebrate a gold at the Stade de France on 5 August.
"All I can do is give it my all. It would mean a lot if that was to come true."Hodgkinson's immediate reaction to following Moraa across the line in Budapest suggested only Olympic gold will satisfy her.Not lottery funded before making the podium in Tokyo, Hodgkinson had the 2024 Games in mind as she plotted her path to the pinnacle of the sport. The large mural celebrating her achievements in her home town of Atherton indicates she is well ahead of schedule.
"I would like to one day be considered one of the best Britain has ever had and I just keep working towards making that happen," says Hodgkinson."I think it would be very emotional ."
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