Hodgkinson Breaks World Indoor 800m Record
Keely Hodgkinson shattered the world indoor 800m record previously held by Slovenia's Jolanda Ceplak, a record set on the day Hodgkinson was born in 2002. This remarkable achievement took place in Lievin on 19 February.
GB's Strong Squad for World Athletics Indoor Championships
Keely Hodgkinson is set to spearhead Great Britain's pursuit of gold medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, as a strong British team prepares to compete in Poland later this month.
Just four weeks after breaking the longstanding women's indoor 800m world record, Olympic champion Hodgkinson aims to claim the world indoor title during her debut at this event.
The 24-year-old athlete, who has earned three world medals outdoors, may also be considered for the 4x400m relay squad after recording a personal best of 51.49 seconds in the 400m earlier in March.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships will be held from 20 to 22 March in Torun, Poland, with live coverage available on the BBC.
Additional GB Medal Contenders
Jeremiah Azu will attempt to defend his men's 60m title. Amy Hunt, who won silver in the 200m at the world championships, will compete alongside British record holder Dina Asher-Smith, who is returning to the world indoors for the first time since 2016, in the women's 60m event.
Josh Kerr, the 2023 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medallist in the 1500m, will seek to reclaim the 3,000m title he won in Glasgow two years ago.
Georgia Hunter Bell, who won silver in the 800m at the world championships and whose 1500m bronze from last year's world indoors is expected to be upgraded following a doping ban for runner-up Diribe Welteji, will join 2024 world indoor 800m silver medallist Jemma Reekie in the women's 1500m.
Pole vaulter Molly Caudery aims to return to the global podium for the first time since her world indoor victory two years ago. Similarly, 800m runner Ben Pattison will look to build on his breakthrough world medal from 2023.
Team Selection and Changes
The initial British team comprises 29 athletes; however, this number may change as 15 athletes are selected subject to final world ranking positions, which will be confirmed by 11 March.
Reigning world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning will not participate in the championships to focus on preparing for a significant outdoor season, including the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.
GB Squad at World Athletics Indoor Championships
- 1500m - Jack Higgins, James McMurray*
- 60m - Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt
- 60m hurdles - Abigail Pawlett*, Emma Nwofor*
- 400m - Yemi Mary John, Louisa Stoney*
- 800m - Issy Boffey, Keely Hodgkinson
- 1500m - Georgia Hunter Bell, Jemma Reekie
- 3,000m - Hannah Nuttall, Katie Snowden*
- Pentathlon - Abigail Pawlett*, Ellen Barber*
- Triple jump - Georgina Forde-Wells*
- 4x400m relay - Poppy Malik, Louisa Stoney, Tess McHugh, Jazmine Moss (plus athletes selected for individual events)
*Selected subject to securing the required world ranking position
