Mary Moraa in trouble as track rival reveals 800m winning strategy at Paris Olympics

Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain. Photo: Imago

Mary Moraa in trouble as track rival reveals 800m winning strategy at Paris Olympics

Joel Omotto 15:00 - 21.07.2024

On-form British Keely Hodgkinson has explained how she hopes to succeed at the Paris 2023 Olympics where she is up against world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya.

Olympic and world 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson is not getting head of herself, heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics despite her current good form.

Hodgkinson showed her dominance again when she recorded a personal best time of 1:54.61 to win the London Diamond League at a packed London Stadium on Saturday ahead of her British compatriots Jemma Reekie and Georgia Bell.

It was a first race that saw all the 10 runners who finished it record either a personal or season’s best and it is good preparations for Hodgkinson who is seeking to improve on her Olympics silver of three years ago in Tokyo.

“I felt really good today [Saturday], I just wanted to go for it and see what was there. It was a little bit of bravery and fearlessness with a great atmosphere like this, I didn't want to waste the opportunity,” said Hodgkinson.

“It's so nice when you're walking through and you hear people shouting your name. The Brits know how to put on an athletics meet, I wish there were more in this country because it's the best crowd I've ever run in front of.”

Heading to the Paris Olympics, Hodgkinson does not want to put a lot of pressure on herself and is opting to take one step at a time.

“I'm feeling really good and confident ahead of Paris. Obviously, the main aim is just to get to the final first and then once we're there, we can discuss getting medals. The team did so well today, Jemma got a huge PB so it's looking good for Paris,” she added.

The British trio will combine again at the Olympics where they are up against Kenyan Mary Moraa, the reigning world champion.

Moraa is considered the woman to beat given defending champion Athing Mu of the USA will not be in Paris, setting the stage for a bruising battle with the Britons.