Keely Hodgkinson enjoys chocolate milk in her South African garden

Keely Hodgkinson, a prominent British middle-distance runner, achieved significant recognition following her Olympic gold medal victory in the 800m event. This achievement marked the first Olympic gold won by a British athlete in this category since Kelly Holmes in 2004. Despite her new-found fame, Hodgkinson maintains a grounded perspective on her life changes, stating that while she has noticed more recognition, the overall difference hasn’t been drastic. She attributes this slight shift in public attention to her outstanding performances, which have inspired young athletes to take up running. Hodgkinson's recent accomplishments include an unbeaten season and defending her European title, during which she also set a new British record of 1 minute 54.61 seconds. She points out that although she felt the toll of previous competitions in her legs during her races, her determination to push her limits remains steadfast. Her aspirations are clear—she aims to secure more gold medals in upcoming competitions, which include European and World Championships scheduled for 2024. In terms of her recognition and marketability, Hodgkinson now counts notable individuals among her followers, such as British actress Amy Jackson and sports icon David Beckham, enhancing her visibility in the public sphere. This evolution in her relationship with fame has also led her to enjoy experiences such as being honored on the field at Old Trafford, which she described as surreal. Such moments have left a lasting impression on her and highlight her rise in the athletic community. Finally, Hodgkinson's ambitions are not purely personal; she aspires to create a legacy in athletics. She expressed her desire to be remembered as one of Britain’s greatest athletes, indicating her keen focus on achieving even greater success on the track. With her eyes set on breaking the longstanding world record set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983, Hodgkinson demonstrates an unwavering commitment to her sport that many young athletes now look up to and draw inspiration from.