Hodgkinson beaten to European gold by rival Werro

Keely Hodgkinson's bid for a third consecutive European 800m title came to a dramatic end at the continental championships as Switzerland's Audrey Werro claimed the gold medal in a tightly contested final. The British middle-distance runner, who dominated the event at the previous two European Championships in 2018 and 2022, finished second on the track with Werro executing a powerful late-race surge to secure victory. This represents a significant upset in women's 800m competition, where Hodgkinson has established herself as one of Europe's premier distance runners over recent years.

Hodgkinson arrived at these championships as the overwhelming favorite, having posted multiple sub-1:57 performances during the current season and maintaining an impressive record at major championships. The 26-year-old British runner previously captured back-to-back European golds in Berlin 2018 and Munich 2022, establishing herself as a consistent force at continental level. Werro's triumph marks a breakthrough moment for the Swiss athlete on the European stage, demonstrating that the established hierarchy in women's middle-distance running remains genuinely competitive and unpredictable at championship events.

The silver medal result presents fresh motivation for Hodgkinson as she turns her focus toward the upcoming World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. Despite missing the top step of the podium, her runner-up finish reinforces her status among Europe's elite 800m competitors and keeps her on track for international competition later in the season. Werro's victory adds uncertainty to women's middle-distance racing at the elite level, suggesting that the continental championships remain gloriously unpredictable despite Hodgkinson's previous dominance of the event.