Paris 2024: Jemma Reekie calls for less pressure on 800m favourite Keely Hodgkinson - 'Just let her do her thing'
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Published 28/07/2024 at 21:10 GMT+1
Jemma Reekie has called for less pressure to be put on 22-year-old Keely Hodgkinson as the pair prepare to line up against each other in the 800m. Hodgkinson has enjoyed a sparkling season thus far, setting a new British record at London's Diamond League meet and successfully defending her European title in Rome. Reekie, meanwhile, is benefiting from a change of coach and scenery.
Thomas admits he would be 'very shocked' if Hodgkinson doesn't take Olympic Gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jemma Reekie reckons too much pressure is being placed on Keely Hodgkinson's shoulders ahead of the women's 800 metres at the Olympics.
Hodgkinson is well fancied to take glory in Paris this month.
Tokyo fourth-placer Reekie cannot help but reflect on how gold is already being hung around her team-mate's neck.
"It's not fair to put every bit of pressure on Keely," said Reekie. "Just let her do her thing. We'll all be rooting for her."
The middle-distance runner from Wigan has gone from strength to strength this season, successfully defending her European title in Rome in June.
And at London's Diamond League event, Hodgkinson set a new British record of 1:54.61, which also put her sixth on the all-time women's list.
Her scintillating form has many tipping her to upgrade her silver medal won at Tokyo 2020.
Reekie and Hodgkinson will be competing in the 800m heats on Friday, August 2, with the showpiece final set for Monday, August 5.
The third Team GB athlete in the two-lap event is 17-year-old Phoebe Gill, who has risen from promising junior to Olympic medal contender thanks to a stunning 1:57.86 in Belfast and a statement victory at the UK Athletics Championships.
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"I'm sure Keely will be feeling a bit of heat going into the Games," said Gill. "But she's such a mature athlete. I know she'll be able to deal with it.
"She's such a lovely person - she spoke to me after the Trials, and I was trying not to fangirl because I've been looking up to her for so long."
The British trio currently hold the top three times over the 800m this calendar year.
Reekie's renaissance
Part of the reason for Reekie's remonstrations might be a desire for more recognition of her own achievements, which are considerable.
The Kilbarchan native, who finished an excellent fourth in Tokyo, has successfully reinvented herself after a 2023 in which she contracted glandular fever and acrimoniously split from her coach.
Now based on the south coast and working under Jon Bigg, Sally Gunnell's husband, Reekie took a humongous chunk off her personal best, which now stands at 1:55.61 in London.
"It's been a horrible three years," said Reekie. "I've made some changes and it's been really exciting this past year.
"I'm a completely different athlete. Tokyo was only three years ago but I feel like I've grown up a lot in that time. I'm much more confident in myself and that comes with age, but it also comes with being happy in your environment.
"It's been amazing to work with Jon. I've known him for years and years and liked the set-up they had. It's been so smooth to move over to there and credit to him, Sally, and everyone down there, the training group that have helped me settle in.
"I'm thriving and it's nice to see with the personal best that it's working. It gives us lots of confidence that we're doing the right things.
"I've been a professional athlete since I was 16, I've grown up in the sport and learned to make decisions for myself, learned my confidence and what works for me. It does take time to do that and to settle in.
"From where I came from to where I am now, it's incredible how quickly we got there. It was a rough couple of years but I'm happy to be where I am, and I think it will make me a much stronger person in the long run."
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