Our Keely strikes gold in Torun

Loughborough College learner Keely Hodgkinson raced to gold in the women’s 800m to become the European Indoor champion in Torun, Poland.

The 19-year-old, who is studying a Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) at the College, led for much of the race and held off Pole Joanna Jozwik to win in 2 minutes, 3.88 seconds on Sunday, 7th March 2021.

It is Keely’s second major senior title having won the national outdoor crown last year.

She told BBC Sport: “I didn't think about the pressure because I'm only 19. I still have things to learn. I kept the relaxed state that I was in during the semis.”

British track legend Steve Cram said after the race: “She can run from the front or she can sit off. Today she showed real maturity and showed how strong she could be when she needed to turn it on."

The DiSE programme is an elite sporting programme for talented prospects across a range of sports, from motor racing and football to athletics and rugby. It enables athletes to distance learn, combining practical and theoretical study, and provides flexibility so they can continue training.

Tom Boardman, Youth Talent Programme Course Lead in Loughborough College’s Elite Sport team, said: “We are so proud of Keely. It is no surprise that she’s achieving on the track because of her strong work ethic and determination to succeed. She’s an outstanding student and athlete and we’re so excited to see where her career takes her.

“It was amazing to see so many of our students, and a member of staff, flying the flag for Team GB in Torun. It’s a real reflection on the quality of teaching and the reputation of Loughborough College as a provider.”

Fellow DiSE learner Ama Pipi left Torun with a silver medal as part of the women’s 4 x 400m relay team while Joe Brier, an Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme student, won bronze with the men’s 4 x 400m relay team.

Other Loughborough College students who competed for Team GB in Torun were:

• Tom Somers
• Ellie Baker
• Georgie Hartigan
• Piers Copeland
• Joel Khan
• Emily Borthwick