- Hodgkinson wins 800m at Athlos after injury-hit season
NIKE, Inc. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Richardson takes 100m as Athlos makes London debut * Big prize money, athlete ownership and Tiffany crowns on show LONDON, Sept 18 – Keely Hodgkinson ended a rocky season in fine fashion on Friday, shrugging off hamstring concerns to win the 800 metres at the all-women’s Athlos London 2026 while dressed in a black, hooded speedsuit that made her look more superhero than middle-distance runner. Olympic champion Gabby Thomas won the 200m in 22.13, US teammate Alaysha Johnson won the 100m hurdles in 12.50, and Marileido Paulino of the Dominican Republic took the 400m title in 48.73.
After finishing second to Switzerland’s Audrey Werro at last week’s World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hodgkinson revealed she had suffered a hamstring tear at the European Championships in Birmingham a few weeks earlier. “This is fun… life is supposed to be about enjoying it. “It’s a project I’ve been working on with Nike for a long time. I thought what a place to bring it out, an all-women’s event. It went down a treat. That vision was on full display in London, where athletes made individual walkouts, the long jump unfolded on a raised stage beside the track and winners received custom Tiffany & Co. crowns. The 100m was one of just seven disciplines in the streamlined event that had no qualifying rounds, and six athletes competing in each of the straight finals. “Wow. It’s sport, that’s why we love it.”
Britain’s Olympic champion pulled away from the field over the final 200 metres to clock one minute 56.40 seconds and win by more than two seconds at StoneX Stadium, marking the first Athlos event outside the US after two New York meetings. The 24-year-old showed no sign of injury on Friday, instead embracing the event’s playful spirit in her suit reminiscent of Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Olympics, and dark glasses. American Sha’Carri Richardson, victorious in the 100m in 10.80 seconds, said Athlos’s arrival in London showed the event was beginning to make its mark globally. Winners pocketed $65,000 with prize money extending down to sixth place , and a $250,000 bonus for anyone breaking a world record. No world records were under serious threat on Friday as athletes contended with chilly 17 Celsius conditions and end-of-season fatigue. Six days after winning the women’s 1,500m in Hungary, Klaudia Kazimierska of Poland nipped Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell at the line to win the women’s mile in 4:19.43, 0.11 faster than Hunter Bell.
“I would have loved to have had when I was younger,” Hodgkinson said. She said an MRI last season showed she had a rare split hamstring tendon, which allows her to keep competing through injury but may also increase her risk of recurring problems. “I know, it’s pretty sick,” she said. “It is going to continue to grow and the world is watching,” Richardson said. “I just graduated college and I’m broke, so this is amazing,” American Alyssa Jones said after winning the long jump with 6.66m. “Georgia looked like she was in control but Klaudia said ‘not today,'” said Ohanian, who was watching alongside his wife and tennis great Serena Williams.
