TRACK QUEEN Keely Hodgkinson hopes to enjoy some Turkish delight this weekend – and bring more gold to Old Trafford.
It is two years ago in the Polish city of Torun that Hodgkinson, 20, announced herself to the world by winning the European 800m indoor crown.
That breakthrough run in her senior rookie year was no fluke and she went on to claim silver medals at Olympic, world and Commonwealth level and establish herself as a track-and-field superstar.
Hodgkinson is attempting to defend her crown in Istanbul – the heats start today – but her intention is to bring a special gong along on the next trip to watch the Red Devils.
Manchester United is her team and the Leigh athlete lives close to their ground in a nearby flat.
She said: “I live on my own now. An independent woman. Well, as a United fan, I wouldn’t look over Manchester City would I?
READ MORE IN SPORT
“Do I hear the crowd noise? It’s not that bad. I can literally see it across from me and see the lights buzzing when it’s a match night. It’s busy round town.
“Where I live is really nice. There is MediaCity. It’s near the airport, the train station and the track. It’s very convenient. I love it.
“My mum has had a Manchester United season ticket since she was 19 and her name is on the seats at Old Trafford. She is more of a diehard fan than me.
“I got the last glimpses (of the glory years) when I was about eight years old.
Most read in Athletics
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
“Though I did see his matches, I don’t remember much about Cristiano Ronaldo being at Manchester United the first time round.
“I was more a fan of Javier Hernandez or Chicharito as he’s known. I liked him when I was growing up.”
Hodgkinson, who is also the reigning European champion outdoors, has been the fastest woman over four laps of an indoor track this winter.
Only last weekend she set a British record time of 1:57.18 in Birmingham while falling short of the world record that has stood since 2002.
Hodgkinson, who turns 21 tomorrow, said: “The 2021 Euros feel like a lifetime ago.
“One of my favourite things to do, which you could argue is quite bad, is I like to prove people wrong.
“I was fastest going into that event but because I was young, there were a lot of experienced girls.
“For me I wanted to prove it doesn’t matter if you’re young, I can still go to a championship and win.
“That year was a case of getting used to everything. It felt like my brain was catching up with everything.
Read More on The Sun
“Mentally I was 19 but physically I felt about 25. It was catching up with me but I’m in a really good place now, two years on.
“I’m looking forward to building on that and running as fast as possible. See what else we can do.”
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
