Keely Hodgkinson withdraws from UK 400m final before race
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 3:43 PM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
Keely Hodgkinson pulled out of the UK Athletics Championships 400m final just before the race on June 21. The Olympic 800m champion had been focusing on the 400m to improve her speed ahead of an attempt to break the 800m world record this summer. Despite qualifying from Saturday's heats, Hodgkinson appeared emotional as she left the track shortly before the event commenced. This withdrawal comes after a challenging year in 2025 due to injuries, and it precedes a crucial month leading up to the London Diamond League meeting, where she planned to chase the world record.
- •Hodgkinson was set to compete in the 400m final.
- •She qualified from heats the previous day.
- •Her focus has been on improving speed for the 800m.
- •Withdrawal occurs ahead of the London Diamond League.
- •Hodgkinson's recent year was affected by injuries.
- 4:50 PMThe Guardian Sport — Keely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
- 4:24 PMYahoo Sports — Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of 400m final at UK championships moments before race
- 3:43 PMYahoo Sports — Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
- 3:43 PMBBC Sport — Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
"British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m final ‘I wasn’t feeling 100% – I didn’t want to risk anything’ Keely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships on Sunday. Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speedwork opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the 400 metres final and began the usual pre-race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led into the bowels of the stadium, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...
"Keely Hodgkinson has been competing over 400m this year in a bid to improve her first-lap speed as she targets the 800m world record
"Keely Hodgkinson pulled out off the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships as a precaution, Sky Sports News understands.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJun 21, 2026, 4:50 PMKeely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m final ‘I wasn’t feeling 100% – I didn’t want to risk anything’ Keely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships on Sunday. Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speedwork opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the 400 metres final and began the usual pre-race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led into the bowels of the stadium, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 21, 2026, 4:24 PMKeely Hodgkinson pulls out of 400m final at UK championships moments before race
Keely Hodgkinson has been competing over 400m this year in a bid to improve her first-lap speed as she targets the 800m world record
- Yahoo SportsJun 21, 2026, 3:43 PMEmotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before the race.
- BBC SportJun 21, 2026, 3:43 PMEmotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before the race.
- Sky Sports—Hodgkinson in tears after late UK Atheltics 400m final withdrawal
Keely Hodgkinson withdrew from the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before the race began.
- Sky Sports—Hodgkinson 'fine' after emotional UK Athletics 400m final withdrawal
Keely Hodgkinson pulled out off the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships as a precaution, Sky Sports News understands.
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