Hodgkinson withdraws from Zurich Diamond League

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson will not compete in the women's 800 meters at the Zurich Diamond League meeting on Thursday, citing that her "body is not quite ready" following the European Championships. The British athlete had been scheduled to face off against Switzerland's Audrey Werro, who secured gold over Hodgkinson at the European Championships earlier this month.

"Unfortunately the body isn't quite ready to race again after the European Championships," Hodgkinson stated. "We've made the decision to skip this race and get ready for the next one. Sad to miss it, hopefully see you next year!" The withdrawal means Hodgkinson will miss a chance to compete against some of the season's top talent.

The Zurich race will still feature strong competition, including world 400m hurdles champion Femke Broeders-Bol, who has moved up to the 800m this season, and Hodgkinson's training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell. Hunter-Bell won the 800m gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month. However, world 800m champion Lilian Odira of Kenya, who previously defeated Hodgkinson and Hunter-Bell in Tokyo, has also pulled out of the Zurich meet due to illness.

Hodgkinson has had a history of injuries, including hamstring and knee issues, which led her to skip the Commonwealth Games last year to focus on the European Championships amidst a demanding summer schedule. She had previously expressed a desire to compete in Zurich, stating in Birmingham, "I want to be in with the best and I think that's going to bring out the best in me." The Zurich event is the second-to-last Diamond League meeting of the season, preceding the final in Brussels.

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Unfortunately the body isn't quite ready to race again after the European Championships. We've made the decision to skip this race and get ready for the next one. Sad to miss it, hopefully see you next year!