Hodgkinson steps aside after European Championships
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from the women's 800 metres at Thursday's Diamond League meeting in Zurich, saying her body is not quite ready to race again after the European Championships. The decision, reported across BBC World, the Daily Express, The Independent and The Straits Times, comes shortly after she finished second in Birmingham, where Switzerland's Audrey Werro claimed the European title.
In a statement carried by all four outlets, Hodgkinson said: "Unfortunately the body isn't quite ready to race again after the European Championships. We've made the decision to skip this race and get ready for the next one. Sad to miss it, hopefully see you next year!" Diamond League organisers, according to the Daily Express, said they fully respect her decision and hope to see her back in Zurich in the future.
Planned rematch with Werro
Hodgkinson had been due to race against Werro in what several reports described as a highly anticipated rematch of their European Championships final earlier this month. As detailed by The Independent and The Straits Times, Werro beat Hodgkinson by two tenths of a second in Birmingham, finishing in a championship-record time of 1:54.81. The Straits Times noted that Werro had also won the 800 metres at last week's Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.
The Independent reported that Werro has gone unbeaten throughout the outdoor season. Speaking in Birmingham after the European final, Hodgkinson had expressed enthusiasm for the Zurich meeting, telling reporters she signed herself up because she knew everyone was in it but her. "I want to be in with the best and I think that's going to bring out the best in me," she said, according to BBC World, the Daily Express and The Independent. The Daily Express also quoted her as saying after the European race that she was looking forward to the next match-up and that life goes on.
Remaining field and other withdrawals
Despite Hodgkinson's absence, the Zurich 800 metres will still feature strong contenders. BBC World, the Daily Express, The Independent and The Straits Times all reported that European bronze medallist Femke Broeders-Bol, the world 400 metres hurdles champion who has stepped up to the 800 metres this season, will race. Georgia Hunter Bell, who won the 1500 metres title at the European Championships in Birmingham and is Hodgkinson's training partner, is also set to compete, ensuring continued British interest as noted by the Daily Express and BBC World.
World 800 metres champion Lilian Odira has also withdrawn from the Zurich race. BBC World reported that Odira pulled out due to illness and weakness since the Commonwealth Games, while The Independent stated she cited medical advice in an Instagram statement on Monday. The Daily Express quoted Odira as saying she must listen to her body.
Context of a demanding season
Hodgkinson, who won Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games according to The Straits Times, has managed a series of physical challenges in recent seasons. BBC World noted that she skipped the Commonwealth Games to prioritise the European Championships after hamstring and knee injuries over the past few years. The Independent added that she battled a hamstring issue throughout 2025 and sustained a knee injury in June. Before winning 800 metres gold at the London Diamond League on 18 July, Hodgkinson had said she was feeling definitely a lot better than she was, as reported by BBC World.
The Zurich meeting is the penultimate Diamond League event of the season, with the final scheduled for Brussels on 4 and 5 September, a detail confirmed by BBC World, the Daily Express, The Independent and The Straits Times. Hodgkinson's withdrawal leaves the door open for her to prepare for that series finale and any remaining targets this year, consistent with the language in her own statement about getting ready for the next one.
Looking ahead
While the Zurich showdown between Hodgkinson and Werro will not take place, the race retains competitive depth with Broeders-Bol, Hunter Bell and Werro still entered. Hodgkinson's decision underscores the physical demands of a packed championship summer that included the European Championships shortly after other major meets. Reports from the four outlets consistently frame the move as a precautionary one driven by her own assessment of readiness rather than any fresh acute injury announcement.