Keely Hodgkinson reveals medical abnormality and freak canal incident scuppered world record chances

Keely Hodgkinson has revealed that a hamstring abnormality and freak fall wreaked havoc with her season.

The Olympic 800m champion suspected that she had suffered a tear last year; however, scans revealed the star has a ‘split’ hamstring, meaning she has two tendons instead of one.

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Hodgkinson admits she is learning how to manage the abnormality which can make her more prone to injury.

The 24-year-old told reporters she had suffered another tear a few weeks before finishing second behind Audrey Werro in the 800m final at the World Athletics Championships.

But now further light has been shed on the oddity that allows her to continue running even when one of the tendons is torn.

"My body is quite literally built differently," Hodgkinson said. "Where most people have one tendon, mine is split - I have two - and we're trying to figure out if it's a strength or a weakness.

"So when one of them tore, I still had another one because it's split. In Birmingham, it didn't affect me during the race, but I could feel something wasn't quite right.

"It's a weird one. You can still run on them. I haven't missed any training the last three weeks. But I've just had to alter my approach. I've had to take my foot off the speed [training], because that's when it's most risky."

Freak fall

Hodgkinson suffered a nasty fall on a metal grate on a Manchester canal back in June, causing her to jar her back.

With construction work taking place next to the Ashton Canal, she tripped on a raised metal grate that had been put down to prevent people slipping.

She was unable to put her hands down in time and as her knees struck the grate, it caused cuts and scarring to both knees.

The incident may have contributed to the hamstring tear at the European Championships.

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There is a sense that competing at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene the following week may have contributed further to the tear that then happened the following month.

A missed opportunity

Frustratingly, Hodgkinson was in arguably her finest shape heading into the summer, and prior to the fall her camp believed she was on track to challenge Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 1-53.28 world record.

“It was very smooth sailing and I remember thinking that it was too easy,” Hodgkinson said.

“I was like, ‘No, something’s going to shock me or surprise me,’ and that’s what happened. The challenge was getting back to the start line.

“I wanted to prove to myself with far from ideal circumstances, because you just don’t know when this could happen again.

“Regardless of if stuff goes right or wrong, I can still perform with the best in the world, and that’s given me confidence.

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“I actually don’t think I need to change anything. I’ve been in the best shape ever this year… but sometimes it doesn’t always translate.

“When I fell over, that kind of messed me up way more than I thought it did. I think that’s what’s contributed to my hamstring, because I couldn’t really use my quad for a while, and there’s a whole bunch of s***.

“I wanted to get this world record. I’m good, but I need someone to help me push to these times. It’s too difficult on your own.

“Audrey’s done incredible this year. I think we will get that eventually. I hope everyone’s enjoyed watching. I’ve still enjoyed competing even though it’s not quite been the season I wanted.”

Hodgkinson, who finished second again to Werro at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships earlier this month, came away from the event without any further injury.

And she will be hoping to do the same when she races for the final time this season at Friday’s all-women’s Athlos meeting in Barnet.