No shoes, no problem for 'annoyed' Keely Hodgkinson after airline loses luggage on way to World Athletics Indoor Championships
Published 21/03/2026 at 20:25 GMT
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Keely Hodgkinson is determined to win her first world title on Sunday having previously been forced out of three World Indoor Championships by injuries. The 24-year-old, who won gold in the 800m at the Paris Olympics, was not going to let the loss of her luggage stop her reaching the final in Torun, Poland, even if it meant she had to borrow spikes from a local athlete to train.
Hodgkinson celebrates her first Olympic gold after emphatic 800m victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Keely Hodgkinson put her best foot forward in the World Indoor Championships – but only after borrowing some running spikes.
The Olympic champion was left without her kit for two days after her luggage was lost by the airline she travelled with to Poland.
Hodgkinson, who set a new short-track world record last month, had to borrow some shoes to train, which gave her a blister, before she was belatedly reunited with her baggage before the first heat.
The 2024 Paris Olympic champion cruised through Saturday's semi-final to qualify quickest for Sunday’s final with a time of 1:58.53.
However, the 24-year-old Brit said that she was starting to get ”annoyed” before the first heat as she waited for her luggage, which contained all her kit, to arrive in Torun.
"I was starting to get annoyed,” said Hodgkinson. ”A very nice Polish girl let me borrow her spikes, and they gave me a blister. I just didn’t have any kit or my supplements. But it’s all good now.”
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Hodgkinson admits 'it hasn't sunk in yet' but she's going to 'enjoy tonight'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hodgkinson is the favourite to win her first world title in a belated first world indoors appearance.
”In 2022 I got all the way here, didn’t end up starting, because I tore my quads,” said Hodgkinson. ”In 2024, I had a knee injury that put me out over winter, so I missed Glasgow. And last year, I tore my hamstring just before it started. So it’s been emotional.
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'I won't be happy with anything else'
Hodgkinson will do all she can to rest and recover before the final.
Speaking to BBC Sport after Saturday's semi-final, she said: ”Even if you’re not running at your full exertion, the adrenaline of coming to the stadium, getting on the start line... you can underestimate how much energy it takes out of you.
”Let’s see what we can bring tomorrow.”
Having safely reached the final, Hodgkinson is focused on one thing.
”Obviously, I want to get gold,” she said. ”I won’t be happy with anything else. I’ve had a season so far that’s been amazing, let’s hope it continues.”
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