Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of 400m final at UK Athletics Championships

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson withdrew moments before the 400 m final at the UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham after feeling a hamstring twinge. Coach Jenny Meadows confirmed the decision was a precautionary measure, noting the athlete was not at 100 % and had been cleared by a physiotherapist. Hodgkinson later posted on Instagram that she was “healthy” and had chosen to sit out to protect her body ahead of her target to challenge the 800 m world record later in the summer.

The withdrawal came four weeks before the London Diamond League meeting, where she plans to attempt the world‑record pace. Amber Anning retained the 400 m title in Hodgkinson’s absence.