Hodgkinson has new target in her sights

The 22-year-old ruled supreme in the French capital on Monday evening, striking gold in a time of 1min 56.72 secs.

It sealed a remarkable run for the Team GB athlete, who collected silver medals at the Games in Tokyo three years ago, as well as the World Finals in 2022 and 2023.

Hodgkinson's victory at the Stade de France saw her become the first British female competitor to win a gold in athletics since Jessica Ennis-Hill's heptathlon triumph in 2012.

However, who hails from Atherton in Greater Manchester, is already looking to the future and her next quest, which is to overcome the world record for the women’s 800m of 1:53.28, which has stood since the 1983 World Championships and was set by Czechoslovakia’s Jarmila Kratochvilova.

“That would be incredible,” said Hodgkinson, whose personal best is currently a 1:54.61 set at the London Diamond League in June. “It’s definitely an aim we've spoken about in the last couple of years, and can anyone get near to it?

“What we have going on in track and field now with how we're training, the science we have now with the tracks and shoes, I welcome it and I think it's such a great thing.

“If I can get close to it, why not give it a go? It would be an incredible achievement.”

Hodgkinson also praised those who have supported her over the years, adding: “It does mean everything to me. I have so many people behind me; it is an individual sport, but there is such a team behind it.

“I owe a lot of people, and this is our moment to celebrate. I'm just super-happy it came together. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of that and I guess I've cemented myself in a bit of history, so that's good.”

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