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?
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
#ARREST | Earlier today we arrested 10 suspects in relation to violence that occurred the day before a game involving Manchester United and FC Twente.
Violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
“On occasions when enforcement is needed, those who are intent on causing harm will have to answer for their actions.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Pep Guardiola says he won’t manage another club after Manchester City
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has claimed he won’t manage another team after his tenure at Manchester City is up, so enjoy the ride whilst you can, Blues.
One of the most successful managers in history, Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers to have ever lived but it looks like the 53-year-old is now starting to think about life after football – or at least after Man City.
Guardiola recently extended his stay at the Eithad with a new two-year contract but it did look like he was ramping up to leave until the 11th hour and it now seems as though his time at City will be his last in the world of club football.
Pep Guardiola claims that he won't manage another club after Manchester City…
When asked about his future by his fellow compatriot, Pep said: “I’m going to stop. I am not going to join another team, I’m not going to leave to go to another country. I won’t have the energy. For now, I’m still here but to think about starting again, the whole process of training – no, no.”
Energy has been a defining factor for so many managers of late, with long-time rival Jürgen Klopp having departed Liverpool FC as a result of the fatigue caused by the job.
With countless cups, six Premier League titles and a trio of Champions League trophies to his name, Pep has pretty much won everything there is to win, which will no doubt factor into his eventual decision.
That being said, Pep did go on to suggest that however long he stays in the sport after his time in Manchester is all said and done, his next role would likely be in international football as leading a country to major silverware is the one thing he hasn’t achieved just yet.
City have managed to get points back on the board in their last two games, notching a much-needed 3-0 against Nottingham Forest before only managing to scrape a draw against Crystal Palace this past weekend, but with a derby approaching this Sunday, all eyes are on Manchester.
With the title race already looking like a nigh on an insurmountable task given the points they’ve already drooped (even with Liverpool’s recent slip-up), Pep’s stress and energy are already pushed to their limits as it is.
You might only get a couple more years with the tactical genius, City fans, so make the most of it.
You can watch Pep Guardiola’s full interview with Dani García down below – though it is in Spanish so you will need subtitles on:
Danny Jones -
7th August 2024 
