Hodgkinson to Illuminate Liévin alongside Fellow Stars
The Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée EDF is set to take place on Thursday, February 19, in Liévin. This prestigious event marks the penultimate stop of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold series and offers an exciting lineup of athletes, all eager to make their mark as the World Athletics Indoor Championships approach.
Key Athletes to Watch
Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson is among the standout competitors. Hodgkinson recently set a world-leading British record of 1:56.33 in the 800 meters at the UK Indoor Championships. This performance places her third on the all-time world indoor short track list. She aims to surpass Jolanda Čeplak’s world record of 1:55.82, established on her birthdate, March 3, 2002.
Strong Competition in the 800m
In Liévin, Hodgkinson will race alongside several formidable opponents:
- Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia) – The 2024 world indoor champion and Olympic silver medallist.
- Nigist Getachew (Ethiopia) – World indoor silver medallist.
- Audrey Werro (Switzerland) – Diamond League champion with a recent time of 1:57.27.
- Anna Wielgosz (Poland) – European indoor champion.
Notable Absences
Femke Bol, the Dutch world 400m hurdles champion, had been scheduled to compete in the 600m. However, she withdrew due to a tendon issue affecting her foot, opting to focus on rehabilitation ahead of the outdoor season.
Exciting Events to Look Forward To
The meeting also features other thrilling races:
- 2000m: Jessica Hull (Australia), a world record holder in this distance, will compete for the first time indoors. She recorded a world best of 5:19.70 outdoors in Monaco in 2024.
- 3000m: Azeddine Habz (France) enters after winning the 1500m in Karlsruhe. He will face Tshepo Tshite (South Africa), who recently triumphed in Madrid.
- Men’s and Women’s 1500m: Featuring top competitors, including Isaac Nader (Portugal) and the impressive Jemma Reekie (Great Britain).
Exciting Field Events
The field events promise high stakes as athletes push their limits:
- Shot Put: Leonardo Fabbri (Italy) will defend his title against Joe Kovacs (USA) and Rajindra Campbell (Jamaica).
- Pole Vault: Emmanouil Karalis (Greece) leads the season list with a clearance of 5.93m and will compete against Sam Kendricks (USA) and others.
Final Thoughts
The Meeting Hauts-de-France in Liévin is poised to showcase elite athleticism and fierce competition, making it a not-to-be-missed event on the indoor track and field calendar. Athletes from across the globe will aim to deliver their best performances, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening in athletics.
