by Keely Hodgkinson saw her attempt to seize the suspended records after the 800m Olympic champion was forced to withdraw from her own event, Keely’s Klassic, in Birmingham this weekend due to an injury to the hamstrings .
Wednesday, the winner of the personality of the BBC Sports Personal of the of the year 2024 felt pain on Wednesday after her last training session before the event and a scan revealed a problem which means that she will not be able to participate.
Hodgkinson owed the Birmingham Utilita Arena race on Saturday and was aimed at breaking the female world record of Jolanda Ceplak 800m that has been located for 23 years.
It remains to be seen when Hodgkinson will be able to compete again, but the 22 -year -old Briton hopes to be in good shape for the indoor world championships in March.
Hodgkinson won Olympic gold in Paris last summer and was then crowned with the sporting personality of the year in December, but was now forced to sit on its first competitive appearance since the Games.
Hodgkinson will always be at the event to support other competitors, but admitted that she was “emptied” when she discovered the injury.
She said, “I will not lie when I had the news this afternoon, I shed a tear.
“I worked so hard for this moment and I was in the best form of my life. I am absolutely emptied not to be able to run for fans, especially after many bought tickets to see me try to break the world record.
“But this event was never only about me – it was always a question of presenting British talents, creating something new for sport and bringing more energy and entertainment to athletics . This is something that I started in the long term.
“I will be in Birmingham on Saturday to do everything I can to make sure it is an incredible night for athletes and fans. I want to help create a real festival atmosphere, to get involved with as many young people as possible, and I hope to inspire the next generation to fall in love with athletics.
“I can’t wait to see incredible performances, and I will encourage all the athletes who go up on the track.”
