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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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?
Manchester City youngster Claudio Echeverri set for another loan spell
Danny Jones
Manchester City youngster Claudio Echeverri is set for another loan deal this January following a disappointing time in Germany.
The South American youth product has spent the first half of this season out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, but has struggled not only to make an impact but even to enjoy any real steady playing time.
Following reports earlier this month by The Athletic‘s Seb Stafford-Bloor that announced Echeverri’s loan would return to his Man City, it appears as though all parties concerned haven’t exactly gotten what they want out of the deal.
With that in mind, not only has his short-term agreement been cut short, but Echeverri is now set to join another City Football Group (CFG) club on a temporary contract, where he can crucially be assured more regular minutes.
As confirmed by the ever ubiquitous transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, Claudio Echeverri is now set to join Girona temporarily from the Premier League side.
Romano writes that “the Argentinian talent leaves Bayer Leverkusen after loan deal interrupted — as Echeverri was not playing.”
Stating that the 19-year-old will officially become a Girona FC player from 1 January onwards, he will no doubt provide some much-needed offensive firepower for the struggling Spanish side, with the Catalan club currently lingering in the La Liga relegation zone.
Following a somewhat reverse pattern of fellow forward, Savinho (who was signed by the French CFG franchise arm, Troyes, before being loaned to Girona and eventually bought by Man City), the attack-minded player remains a highly-rated youth prospect but has yet to fully announce himself.
He scored the first goal for his parent club back in June; it’s fair to say it was a bit of a corker…
Fast forward to now, though, and Echeverri will spend at least until next June representing Girona – no doubt dropping straight into the starting lineup as soon as possible.
At the moment, there is no suggestion of any permanent clause included in the agreement, but either way, ‘El Diablito’ is still a CFG asset, at the end of the day.
With that in mind, we’re sure they’ll move him around the sporting network however they see fit in search of a breakout spell.
Do you think it’s a good move for the young starlet, or would you like to see him back in Manchester, fighting his way into matchday squads?
Featured Images — DAZN ES (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Salford City FC reveal new club crest ahead of return to orange kit
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have finally revealed their new club crest, paying homage to both their historic and present badge, as they prepare to wear predominantly orange kits once again.
The Greater Manchester club are enjoying a healthy injection not only of investment but ideas and, indeed, a decent bit of form in turn.
Currently sitting sixth in the League Two standings and looking more than capable of scrapping with other third division hopefuls around them in the table, the end of this season could be the start of a fresh chapter for the Salford sporting institution.
Regardless of whether they go up following the conclusion of this campaign or not, the newly restructured ownership group is certainly looking to make this the start of a new era.
Officially debuting the new Salford City badge in the teaser video shared above on Tuesday, 23 December, you could call it an early Christmas gift for Ammies supporters.
Writing on social media, the club said: “Our heritage. Our culture. Inspiring our future. From next season, Salford City FC will adopt a bold new identity, playing in orange with a new Club crest.
“Following recent consultations, 72% of fans voted to adopt this new Club crest from the start of the 2026-27 season.”
A lengthier statement continues: “The new Crest comes after extensive consultation with fans over the past several months.
“It was designed in conjunction with renowned NYC-based agency MILK, and in recent weeks, fans have heard from co-owners Gary Neville and Sir David Beckham about the potential opportunities the new crest can offer the Club – from building our fan base globally to exciting new merchandise products.
This latest unveiling comes after confirmation of the club reverting to an orange-led colour scheme and home shirt.
In addition to hinting at plans to once again upgrade the Peninsula Stadium, the official club statement also digs into the inspiration behind the various features included in the latest redesign.
They are as follows:
A rampant Lion that has featured on crests of the past, breaking out of the badge, refusing to be contained. It captures the fierce, on-field attitude expected from a Salford team. Relentless in the pursuit of success, never held back.
A new Salford rose, inspired by the iconic Salford Lads Club, symbolises enthusiasm, desire, passion and admiration.
Concentric circles represent a bird’s eye view of the Salford Gasworks.
A typeface crafted from the custom lettering found in Salford’s streets.
You see a more detailed breakdown of the thought process behind the various features down below; it does make for an interesting little read.
Credit: Salford City (via club website)
Salford famously switched to red when Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ legends bought the club in partnership with businessman Peter Lim well over a decade ago.
Despite the initial takeover seeing the struggling side find their way back into the EFL following multiple promotions, The Ammies have lost momentum in recent years, and many die-hard matchgoers still take issue with the colour change (the notion being that they were reborn in the shadow of Man United).
Fast forward to now, and they reiterated that the plans – which follow the aforementioned official consultation held earlier this year – will see new insignia installed in time for next season, not only on the latest batch of kits but around their soon-to-be further renovated home ground.
With Salford‘s rugby league community also set for its next iteration as of the 2026 season, it’s all change in Greater Manchester’s second city.
Danny Jones -
7th August 2024 
