Keely Hodgkinson Breaks Women's Indoor 800m World Record in Liévin

keely hodgkinson broke the women's indoor 800m world record in Liévin, France, posting a time of 1: 54. 87 at a European Athletics meeting and cutting almost a full second from the previous mark. The British Olympic champion's run immediately rewrites the indoor record books and provides a high-profile statement early in the season.

Keely Hodgkinson's race: splits, pacemaking and conditions

The race in Liévin featured planned pacing tools and an aggressive plan that Hodgkinson executed precisely. Wavelights were set to guide a targeted halfway and overall tempo, with the pacemaker Anna Gryc leading through early laps. Hodgkinson passed 200m in 26. 47 seconds and reached 400m in 55. 56 seconds before striking out alone, reaching three-quarters in 1: 25. 06 and closing to a final 1: 54. 87.

The presence of pacemaking, the wavelight targets, and the prepared environment were all in place to produce the time Hodgkinson sought. Her controlled first lap and decisive third-lap surge combined to deliver a run that left the crowd and her support team visibly elated at the finish.

How the record fits into Hodgkinson's recent form and team setup

This performance followed a fast opening at the UK indoor championships, where Hodgkinson ran 1: 56. 33 without pacemakers or wavelights and moved high on the all-time list. That earlier run was named as a stepping stone to the attempt in Liévin, and the world-record outcome underlines the continuity between her domestic tune-up and the international effort.

Coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows were trackside to congratulate her, and training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell, who had her own success earlier in the evening, joined the celebrations. Hodgkinson celebrated at the finish with applause, accepted congratulations from fellow competitors, and made a beeline for family photos to mark the milestone.

Immediate implications and what comes next

The new indoor world record is a clear signal about Hodgkinson's early-season objectives and fitness. The time she posted in Liévin not only replaces a near 24-year-old standard but also changes the immediate landscape for the indoor 800m this season. With this landmark now on her CV, keely hodgkinson heads into the coming indoor championships and key meets carrying the momentum of a peak performance.

For rivals and meet organizers, the mark sets a fresh target to chase and reshapes tactical approaches when Hodgkinson lines up. For her team, the run validates recent training and race planning choices and provides a psychological boost ahead of further championship-focused goals.

Quick race facts and context

• Event: European Athletics meeting in Liévin, France.
• Performance: new women's indoor 800m world record, 1: 54. 87.
• Earlier season tune-up: 1: 56. 33 at the UK indoor championships.
• Pacemaker: Anna Gryc; coaching and support included Trevor Painter, Jenny Meadows and training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell.

Details from the Liévin meeting show a meticulously executed attempt that combined pacing, race-day conditions and Hodgkinson's finishing strength. The result is a defining indoor moment for the Olympic champion and a headline-making benchmark that will shape the 800m indoor season ahead. Schedule and entries for upcoming championships remain subject to change as the season progresses.