Keely Hodgkinson's coaches targeting world record after SPOTY glory

The 22-year-old from Atherton collected a surprise 800 metres silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, then claimed gold in Paris this summer with the weight of the world's expectations on her shoulders.

Hodgkinson posted a personal best of 1:54.61 at the London Diamond League meet in July but will have to find another gear to beat Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova's 1:53.28, which has stood for 41 years.

"I wouldn't rule (2025) out," said Trevor Painter, who alongside life and coaching partner – and fellow Wiganer – Jenny Meadows runs M11 Track Club.

Painter and Meadows were awarded Coach of the Year at the BBC ceremony on a triumphant evening for the married couple, who also coached British Paris Olympic bronze medallists Georgia Bell and Lewis Davey.

Painter added: "Next year might be too soon, because it's a big leap and there's not many people at 1:54 let alone 1:53, but with the advances in shoe technology and the advances in track technology, and the advances in our growth as a team and as a unit and pushing Keely, then yeah.

"I mean, if the right race happens and she's feeling in the right mood on that day, then there's no reason why it couldn't happen, but the next three to four years, we'll be trying our best to make that happen and become that world record (holder)."

Meadows, who thinks 2026 might be a better target, added: "We're definitely nudging our way towards it. A couple of years ago we would never have been looking at that world record thinking it was possible, but now you start getting a little bit giddy and excited, but trying to be realistic at the same time.

"Gold is the only currency she wants to work in now, and she's got some personal objectives to win that world title. I think she's looking at it as though it's really exciting, whether we can get physically in world record shape next year. 1:53.28 is still a big, big gap. I know Keely would like to see a 1:53, even if it's a 1:53.99."

Many Britons now picture ‘Queen Keely’ Hodgkinson as the beaming athlete wearing the crown she accepted from a fan following her Olympic triumph.

Her coaches have seen more shades of a young woman Meadows describes as having a "what you see is what you get" personality, a savvy businesswoman with an excellent sense of humour who ‘doesn't try to be someone she's not’.

Last winter, Hodgkinson lost 10 weeks of running after a debilitating leg injury and was, recalled Meadows: "(At the) back of the training group, in tears. I'd never seen Keely so... she's not a tearful person. She had to take herself to some very dark places during the winter to get back there."

One photographer even questioned if she'd make it to Paris.

"People have seen the highlights, we've seen the journey," said Meadows, who even recalls Hodgkinson's training-mates saying: "There's actually something really satisfying and empowering about seeing Keely go through those dark moments. It's not all talent, is it? It's hard work."