Hodgkinson sets personal best but stunned by Werro in Stockholm Diamond League

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson achieved a personal best at the Stockholm Diamond League on Sunday, but it was not enough to secure victory against a stunning performance from Switzerland's Audrey Werro.

Werro clocked one minute and 53.98 seconds, setting a new world-leading time for the year and the third-fastest women's 800m time in history. Hodgkinson followed closely, setting a new British record with a time of 1:54:33. American Roisin Willis finished third in 1:57:56.

The 22-year-old Werro, who had a previous personal best of 1:56.64, took more than a second off her previous mark. She set a strong pace from the start, leading the first lap in 55.54 seconds. Although Hodgkinson took the lead with 300 meters remaining, Werro surged past her on the home straight to claim a memorable victory.

Hodgkinson, 24, has been aiming for the world record and previously broke the world indoor record in February. She also ran her fastest 800m since July 2024, clocking 1:54.61 at the London Diamond League. In a rare appearance over 400m, Hodgkinson finished seventh at the Rome Diamond League meeting earlier in the week.