Tokyo 2020: GB’s new athletics star, and 800m record-holder, Keely Hodgkinson still manages to have fun off the track

OLYMPIC silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson has put in the hard yards on the track – but still manages to enjoy herself off it.

The Team GB star, 19, smashed Dame Kelly Holmes’ British record as she came a shock second in the Tokyo 2020 women’s 800m final on Tuesday – less than a second behind winner Athing Mu.

A remarkable final saw three British athletes take part, with Jemma Reekie narrowly missing out on a medal in fourth sport and Alexandra Bell finishing seventh.

But it was a moment to savour for Hodgkinson, who was stunned with her second-place finish and a sensational time of 1:55.88.

The Leeds Beckett university student told the BBC of her conversation with Athens double gold-medalist Holmes before the race – and Hodgkinson could not believe she had broken her record.

The Wigan-born athlete has enjoyed a quick rise to the top, and her Instagram page has documented every step of the journey, from British champion to silver at the Tokyo Games.

Her social media also shows off a vibrant lifestyle, including trips to destinations such as Dubai, Portugal and Italy.

Hodgkinson also displays photos fun nights out – but there are frequent running pics too, including one in the Lake District.

The teenager has more than 48,000 followers on Instagram but that number is rapidly increasing after her success in Tokyo.

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Hodgkinson will likely turn her attention to going one better at the World Championships in America next year.

But on home soil reigning Olympic champion Mu will be tough to beat.

The 19-year-old bossed the 800m final from start to finish and recorded a winning time of 1:55:21.

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Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk