I recently spent time researching Keely Hodgkinson, and I was honestly impressed by how quickly she rose to the top of middle-distance running. Born on March 3, 2002, she has already achieved milestones that many athletes work toward for decades.
From winning Olympic silver as a teenager to becoming the 800-meter Olympic champion in 2024, her journey shows determination, discipline, and steady growth. What stands out to me most is how she kept improving every year, turning close finishes into major victories.
In this article, I’ll be covering her early life, family background, career highlights, Olympic achievements, records, awards, and what makes her one of the most exciting athletes in track and field today.
Keely Hodgkinson Breaks Indoor 800m World Record in Liévin
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has added another historic achievement to her growing list of accomplishments by setting a new world record in the women’s indoor 800 meters. At the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin, France, she ran an extraordinary time of 1:54.87, smashing the previous indoor standard by nearly a full second.
This performance was especially remarkable because the old record — 1:55.82 — had stood for almost 24 years, and was set on the very day she was born. By clocking such a fast time, Keely not only rewrote the record books, but also became the first woman to run under 1:55 indoors, a barrier few athletes had ever approached.
Hodgkinson dominated the race from the start, reaching early splits ahead of her rivals and powering home to leave the field well behind. Her incredible effort built on a strong start to the indoor season and confirmed her status as not just an Olympic champion, but now the world record holder over the 800m indoors.
This achievement adds to her already impressive résumé, which includes Olympic medals, European titles, and multiple national records — and suggests she remains a major force in middle-distance running as the season continues.
Early Life and Background, Parents

Keely Hodgkinson was born in Atherton, Greater Manchester, England. She grew up in a supportive family environment that encouraged sports from a young age. Her parents have played an important role in her journey, especially during her early training years.
She attended Fred Longworth High School, where her athletic talent began to stand out. Later, she studied at Loughborough College, a well-known institution for developing elite athletes. She has also been connected with Leeds Beckett University, balancing education alongside professional athletics.
From an early age, Keely showed natural speed and endurance. She joined Leigh Harriers, a respected athletics club in England, where her structured training helped refine her abilities. Her focus eventually centered on the 800 meters, though she has also competed in the 400 meters.
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Nationality: British
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Birthplace: Atherton, United Kingdom
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Sport: Athletics
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Club: Leigh Harriers
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Main Events: 800m, 400m
She stands approximately 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall, which gives her a strong stride pattern ideal for middle-distance racing.
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Olympic Gold Medalist and British Record Holder
One of the most defining moments of Keely’s career came at the delayed Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). At just 19 years old, she won the silver medal in the 800 meters. What made that race historic was the fact that she also broke a long-standing British record that had stood since 1995.
Breaking a national record at the Olympic Games as a teenager is extremely rare. That performance instantly placed her among the world’s top middle-distance runners.
However, she did not stop there.
At the 2024 Summer Olympics, she returned stronger and more experienced. In the women’s 800-meter final, she positioned herself near the front early in the race. With about 100 meters remaining, she increased her pace and created clear separation from her competitors. She crossed the finish line first, securing the gold medal and officially becoming the Olympic champion.
This victory confirmed that she had successfully transitioned from promising talent to global champion.
Career, Olympic Gold, Records, and Achievements
Keely Hodgkinson’s career shows consistent progression rather than one breakthrough moment.
Major Championship Medals:
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Olympic Gold Medal – 800m (2024)
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Olympic Silver Medal – 800m (Tokyo Games)
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World Championship Silver – 2022
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World Championship Silver – 2023
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World Championship Bronze – (earlier global level result)
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Commonwealth Games Silver – 2022
European Success:
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Two-time European Champion (Outdoor – 2022 & 2024)
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Two-time European Indoor Champion (2021 & 2023)
Other Achievements:
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Diamond League Final Champion (2021 – 800m)
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World Indoor Best – 600 meters
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Four-time British National Senior Champion
She is also ranked among the six fastest women in history over 800 meters, which highlights her speed at a global level.
What I personally find impressive is her consistency. Many athletes peak once, but Keely has remained at the top across multiple seasons, championships, and formats (indoor and outdoor).
Training Philosophy & Competitive Mindset
A unique aspect of Keely’s development is her calm racing strategy. She often positions herself carefully during the first lap and then relies on a powerful finishing kick in the final stretch.
Her stride efficiency, pacing awareness, and race intelligence make her difficult to beat in tactical races. Unlike some runners who rely purely on early speed, she combines patience with explosive finishing strength.
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Personal Life & Relationships
Keely Hodgkinson keeps her personal life relatively private. As of recent public information, she has been in a relationship, but she does not frequently share details about her partner or personal matters.
She prefers to keep her focus on athletics and performance rather than media attention. This privacy likely helps her maintain balance while competing at an elite level.
She is currently 23 years old (as of 2026) and continues to prioritize her professional development in athletics.
Net Worth & Awards
Estimated Net Worth (2026)
While exact figures are not publicly confirmed, sports analysts estimate that Keely Hodgkinson’s net worth is likely between $2–5 million as of 2026.
Her income sources include:
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Olympic prize bonuses
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Sponsorship and endorsement deals
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Diamond League winnings
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National athletic funding
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Brand partnerships
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Appearance fees
As an Olympic champion and British record holder, her market value has increased significantly since 2024.
Awards & Recognition
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BBC Sports Personality of the Year (2024)
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Awarded MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to athletics
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Multiple Athlete of the Year nominations
These honors reflect both her performance and her influence in British sport.
Height & Weight
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Height: 1.7 meters (5 ft 7 in)
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Weight: Not officially disclosed
As a professional middle-distance runner, she maintains a lean and performance-focused physique suited for speed and endurance events.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Keely Nicole Hodgkinson |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 March 2002 |
| Age (2026) | 23 years |
| Birthplace | Atherton, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 1.7 m |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Events | 800m, 400m |
| Club | Leigh Harriers |
| Education | Fred Longworth High School, Loughborough College, Leeds Beckett University |
| Olympic Medals | 1 Gold, 1 Silver |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2–5 Million (approx.) |
| Social Media | Instagram – XTwitter |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How old is Keely Hodgkinson in 2026?
She is 23 years old.
Q2: What is Keely Hodgkinson famous for?
She is best known for winning the Olympic gold medal in the 800 meters in 2024 and holding the British national record.
Q3: What is her height?
She is approximately 1.7 meters tall (5 ft 7 in).
Q4: What is her estimated net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $2–5 million as of 2026.
Q5: Which club does she represent?
She competes for Leigh Harriers.
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