Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from this week’s Diamond League meeting in Zurich where she had been slated to compete in a blockbuster women’s 800m race.
The Olympic champion was in line for a rematch against Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who has gone unbeaten in a sensational outdoor season, as well as Hodgkinson’s compatriot and Commonwealth Games 800m champion Georgia Hunter Bell, reigning world champion Lilian Odira, and European bronze medallist Femke Broeders-Bol.
22-year-old Werro clinched European gold over Hodgkinson and Broeders-Bol in Birmingham earlier this month – denying the Briton a third straight European title – before beating the Dutchwoman in a thrilling race at last week’s Diamond League meet in Lausanne.
Hunter Bell meanwhile skipped the 800m at European Championships but comfortably won the 1,500m, with Zurich’s meet hotly anticipated as the first time all five of the biggest names in women’s 800m racing would go head-to-head this year.
However, Hodgkinson has made the decision to withdraw from the event, which takes place on Thursday 27 August.
The 24-year-old said: “Unfortunately, the body isn’t quite ready to race again after the European championships, so we’ve made the decision to skip this race and get ready for the next one. Sad to miss it, hopefully see you next year!”
Home favourite Audrey Werro broke Hodgkinson’s meeting record in Lausanne with victory in 1:55.33, while Broeders-Bol, who has made the step up from her specialist discipline of 400m hurdles this year, continued her astonishing progress over 800m as she ran the Swiss athlete close in the final 100m.
Her second-place finish was enough for a new national record of 1:55.41. Odira finished seventh while Hunter Bell skipped the event.
Werro is the heavy favourite for glory in Zurich, having run the third-fastest 800m time in history this season and the fastest since the highly contentious world record was set 43 years ago.
Zurich is the last regular meet of the Diamond League season. The Diamond League Finals will take place in Brussels on 4 and 5 September.
