Hodgkinson Skips Commonwealth Games, Focuses on European Championships
Olympic 800m champion prioritizes European title defense amidst significant athlete withdrawals from Glasgow event.
Sarah Connor
Keely Hodgkinson has confirmed her withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, choosing instead to concentrate on the European Athletic Championships in Birmingham.
The Olympic 800m champion's decision is a strategic move, following a season marked by athletic triumphs including a personal best in the 400m and a world indoor 800m record.
Hodgkinson had consistently signaled her intention to bypass the Games, aligning with her established focus on major continental competitions where she has secured the last two 800m crowns.
Her absence resonates deeply, given her status as the Olympic 800m champion, a title she claimed in 2022 before winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Hodgkinson stated, "I’m currently not going to be competing [at the Commonwealth Games]," explaining that "managing multiple championships in one year is extremely demanding and required her to decide which event best suited her overall goals."
For those asking me and to confirm, Keely isn’t missing out. She chose not to compete.
Katharine Merry, a prominent voice in athletics, confirmed the decision, stating, "For those asking me and to confirm, Keely isn’t missing out. She chose not to compete."
Team England's athletics squad, now featuring 63 athletes, faces further significant changes as multiple high-profile withdrawals reshape the roster.
Matthew Hudson-Smith, Daryll Neita, Amber Anning, Zac Sneddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles, and Jona Efoloko have all pulled out, diminishing the event's star power.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson, initially entered for the heptathlon, also withdrew from the England team due to an unspecified injury, planning instead to focus on the European Championships in Birmingham next month.
Johnson-Thompson, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist from the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games, expressed her disappointment, stating, "I’m gutted to have to pull out of this year’s Commonwealth Games. I was so looking forward to competing on home soil and having the chance to defend my Commonwealth title!"
She added, "Although the injury I picked up earlier in the season has improved, I haven’t been able to get back to the level I need to compete at my best."
Niamh Emerson, mentored by Jessica Ennis-Hill, completed her first heptathlon in eight years and now replaces Johnson-Thompson in the England squad.
Amy Hunt, a 200m World Championship silver medallist, remains on the team and will compete in the 100m, with potential participation in the sprint relay.
Hunt could anchor a strong English quartet aiming to defend their sprint relay crown, a critical objective for the team.
Renee Regis has been added to the 4x100m relay squad, replacing Dina Asher-Smith, who will also miss the Commonwealth Games, while Max Whitlock was forced to end his comeback bid due to injury, further impacting the English contingent.
The withdrawal of such high-profile names delivers a significant blow to the event, which has been plagued with problems in the build-up.
The Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Glasgow, were originally scheduled for March but faced postponement after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as hosts in 2023.
Glasgow stepped in with just 18 months' notice, with the dates and schedule for the Games confirmed in October 2023.
This Games was a little bit of a challenge because we only had 18 months and it was really difficult to say 'where is the gap in the two-year period?'
Katie Sadlier, a key figure in the Games' organization, noted the challenge: "This Games was a little bit of a challenge because we only had 18 months and it was really difficult to say 'where is the gap in the two-year period?'"
Scottish hopes for the Games remain high with Josh Kerr, who recently broke the mile world record at the Diamond League event in London.
Phil Batty, another organizer, acknowledged the quality of the remaining athletes, stating, "We have got an incredible field of athletes."
He also emphasized the importance of athlete development, adding, It is equally exciting to see, just like what happened in 2014 [previous Glasgow Games], which athletes this starts that breakthrough moment.
Hodgkinson, meanwhile, teased a potential change of appearance, asking followers if she should revert to her natural brunette look from her blonde hair.