Greater Manchester’s very own Keely Hodgkinson has already done us well and truly proud at this year’s Olympics but is already eyeing up her next achievement: she wants the world record.
Hodgkinson from the town of Atherton picked up the gold medal in women’s 800m at Paris 2024 in fine fashion, putting to bed her series of narrow second-placed finishes and finally notching the top prize at what is just her second appearance at the Summer Games.
Cruising home to victory and looking far and away the fastest female on the track, it’s no exaggeration to label her one of the fastest women on the planet and it seems the Wiganer has no intention of resting on her laurels after the remarkable win and no intends to prove that very fact.
Barely taking time to catch her breath after the first-ever Olympic gold of her career, Keely was asked if she believes breaking the event’s long-standing record is achievable and her response was simple but emphatic: “Yes”.
Speaking to Telegraph Sport, mentor and ‘second mum’ Jenny Meadows detailed how “she’s always said, quite shyly, that ‘I want to be one of the greatest ever'”, adding, “She’s sixth of all time. Trevor [Painter – husband and fellow coach] and I believe she is in the shape to be third of all time.
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“We believe she can run high 1:53 at the moment. Over the next couple of years, she can get down towards that world record if she stays healthy, motivated and still enjoys it, which I’ve got no doubts about.”
The current athletics world record of one minute and 53.28 seconds in the women’s 800m was set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983 and very few come close to matching it in the 41 years since, let alone surpassing such a feat.
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Nevertheless, with the modernisation of the sport in all facets, from training, health and physio work to the gear and surfaces now used in events, there is plenty of belief that she can go on to break it – especially given she is still several years off what most would deem her ‘peak’ years.
Hodgkinson has already set a new world-leading and national record of 1:54:61 at the Diamond League London last month and hit a world indoor best (1:23:41) in the 600m at her home track here in Manchester back in January 2023. Is another one on the way?
As for the 22-year-old middle-distance marvel herself, she did confess that “It’s definitely a goal […] I’d love to give it a good go. There’s more in there.
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“When you’re at the top of your game, why not? After the 1.54, training got better and better and there were sessions that indicated there was so much more there.”
Although she has joked that she’s barely slept since the sheer buzz of winning, Hodgkinson did assure she’ll reward herself with a few days off in the sun and some relaxation time for once before targeting the world record – that sounds wise and very well deserved, if you ask us, Keely.
Meanwhile, Team GB sits fifth overall in the table at the Paris Olympics, with her gold making up a dozen earned at this tournament, along with 15 silvers and 19 bronze medals for a total of 46 so far.
With just a few days left to go, can the UK match their greatest-ever tally of 67 achieved at Rio 2016?
Tributes paid as Curzon Ashton FC founder Harry Twamley dies following a ‘long illness’
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring as local team Curzon Ashton FC have confirmed that club founder Harry Twamley BEM has sadly passed awayat the age of 82.
Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, the National League North side shared the news on Wednesday morning, with fans across the region as well as up and down the English footballing pyramid paying their respects.
Posting on social media, the Curzon Ashton official accounts wrote: “It is with deep regret that we announce that Harry Twamley (BEM) passed away after a long illness.”
“Our condolences are expressed to Richard and Jayne and to the rest of his family at this time.”
While they explained that a full statement will be shared online in the coming days, the initial announcement on the club website featured heartfelt words from former club chairman Wayne Salkeld, who took over from Twamley back in the 2018/19 season, spending five years at the helm.
Salkeld said: “It’s a sad day for everyone at the club. I was honoured when Harry asked me to become chairman in 2018/19 and I will never forget that day.
“I’m going to miss our phone calls which were every day. Thanks for the memories and we will work hard to keep your legacy going.”
Curzon Ashton director Oliver Newall also shared a touching tribute to the club founder, who set up the club back in 1963, adding: “What an incredible man. Someone who brought Curzon Ashton into the world and whom without we would not have had so many amazing moments and memories.
“The word legend gets thrown around too often… Harry Twamley was a legend and he will be missed so much.” He was joined by numerous fans and other clubs in offering their condolences.
Other teams paying tribute included Salford City, Saddleworth Cricket Club and nearby non-league outfit, FC United of Manchester.
The lattermost wrote: “From all at FC United, we would like to pay our respects to a legend of the game in Greater Manchester, we ground-shared at Curzon Ashton and saw first-hand what an immense character Harry was.”
Twamley was named in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours list back in 2017 and awarded an Order of the British Empire medal for his services to amateur football. Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, The Nash and their supporters.
Rest in peace to an important local figure and treasured champion of the grassroots game.
Manchester City is looking for ‘diehard fans’ to be part of a new documentary series
Emily Sergeant
Manchester City is looking for some diehard fans to be part of a new documentary series by sharing their love for the club.
The Sky Blues are no stranger to a documentary, having had several successful series and feature-length shows air on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and the club’s own online TV platform CITY+, over the past couple of years – drawing in millions of viewers across the globe each time.
But now, it sounds like there’s another one in the works… and you could be a part of it.
The football club is looking for families with four generations of supporters to share their special memories of following Manchester City down the years.
📣 We’re looking for diehard fans to share their special City memories for an exciting new documentary series!
On top of this, the club is also keen to find fan videos that can help take documentary viewers into the stands from a City fan’s perspective, and is asking that people get in touch and send footage that they’ve taken of some of the club’s most famous moments from over the years – including reactions to Sergio Aguero’s famous goal against QPR in 2012, and the Treble-winning season.
Footage could also be submitted from other important milestones such as the 1999 play off final, or from things like random away days in the 1980s, or even City-themed kids’ birthday parties from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
No matter whether the footage was taken on a mobile phone, old-school video camera, or something similar, it could come in useful.
Manchester City is looking for ‘diehard fans’ to be part of a new documentary series / Credit: Manchester City
The only condition is that all footage submitted by fans must be their own, and not recordings from commercial media, or copied from YouTube or any other media/social media outlets.
Keen to be a part of the production then?
If you would like you and your family to be considered for the documentary, then you can email [email protected] with your details and stories about supporting City.