Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson unexpectedly withdrew from the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships on Sunday, moments before the race was set to begin.

Hodgkinson, who has been using the 400m distance to enhance her first-lap speed for an upcoming 800m world record attempt, qualified for the final on Saturday. However, after warming up in Birmingham, she stepped off the track just as the finalists were being called to the starting line.

The 24-year-old appeared emotional as she left the track, heading back into the stadium. This withdrawal is a significant setback, particularly as it occurs only four weeks before the London Diamond League meeting, an event she had specifically targeted for her bid to break the 800m world record.

Hodgkinson's 2025 season was previously hampered by injuries, and this latest withdrawal raises concerns about her readiness for her primary goal. Further details are expected regarding the reasons behind her decision and its impact on her upcoming competitions.