Sebastian Coe backs 'mahogany hard' Keely Hodgkinson to become one of all-time greats ahead of 2025 World Athletics Championships

React to this story

The World Athletics Championships begin in Tokyo this weekend, with live coverage on TNT Sports and discovery+. Keely Hodgkinson is favourite to add the women's 800m title to her Olympic crown. And Britain's former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, who is now the President of World Athletics, believes Hodgkinson can become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Hodgkinson celebrates her first Olympic gold after emphatic 800m victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Keely Hodgkinson could become one of the greatest athletes of all time, according to Sebastian Coe.

Hodgkinson gave Great Britain one of its most treasured Olympic moments of last year's Paris Games when she stormed to women's 800m gold.

And ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo - which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - former track and field great Coe clearly believes the sky is the limit for the 23-year-old.

Novuna London Athletics Meet

'Battle of world records' - Hodgkinson eyes 800m mark at London Diamond League

29/05/2026 at 09:46

Asked whether Hodgkinson could end her career as one of the greatest Britain has produced, Coe provided the clearest of answers and then went even further.

Watch thrilling finish as Hodgkinson grabs gold for Team GB in 800m

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Yeah, she absolutely could," Coe replied. "I’ve no doubt about that. Absolutely, for sure. And she could end up at the top of the heap internationally if she goes on.

"I’ve spoken to her enough times to know that, mentally, she’s mahogany hard.

"She is absolutely committed to wanting to end her career top of the heap and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t."

Coe, who is now President of World Athletics, produced some iconic Olympic moments of his own, winning men's 1,500m gold at the 1980 Games in Moscow and then repeating the trick four years later in Los Angeles.

And he is clearly hugely admiring of Hodgkinson, who also won Olympic silver in Tokyo in 2021, as well as two World Championship silvers in Eugene in 2022 and Budapest in 2023.

Hodgkinson was out of action for months following her Olympic glory with a hamstring injury, but she has bounced back in recent weeks in stunning fashion.

In her first race back in Silesia, Hodgkinson ran her second-fastest time - 1:54.74 - and easily the quickest 800m in the world this year. She then won again a few days later at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.

"You have to marvel at how she has come back," Coe said. "It’s unbelievable. We’ve been saying this for a long time, she is the real deal.

"And she’s got good coaches. I mean Jenny Meadows [and Trevor Painter], those guys know what they’re doing. It’s a really good example of British coaching at its best."

The World Championships begin on Saturday in the Japanese capital, with the heats for the women's 800m taking place next Thursday, September 18.

The semi-finals are on Friday, September 19, with the final on the last day of action on Sunday, September 21.

How to watch the 2025 World Athletics Championships

TNT Sports will broadcast 30 hours of live television coverage from the World Athletics Championships, available in addition to a daily highlights programme. Streaming subscribers will also be able to watch nearly 50 events live and on-demand via discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Athletics

Hodgkinson, Caudery, Hunter Bell all win indoor gold on 'really special' night for GB

23/03/2026 at 12:16

World Athletics Indoor Championships

No shoes, no problem for Hodgkinson after airline loses luggage

21/03/2026 at 20:25