Built Differently: Keely Hodgkinson Reveals Hamstring Abnormality
BBC Sport reports on Keely Hodgkinson, Great Britain's Olympic 800m champion, who has disclosed an unusual hamstring condition.
MRI Uncovers Hamstring Abnormality
After a suspected tear last year, Hodgkinson underwent an MRI scan, which revealed a "split" hamstring, meaning she possesses two tendons instead of one. This anomaly allows her to continue running when one tendon is torn, but it may also make her more susceptible to injuries.
Navigating a Unique Physical Make-up
"My body is quite literally built differently," Hodgkinson shares. "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." She notes that despite the injury, she hasn't missed any training in the past three weeks.
A Challenging Season
Hodgkinson has faced setbacks in the past two seasons since her Olympic gold victory in 2024. She struggled with a hamstring injury, followed by a fall during a warm-down session, which led to cuts on both knees and back pain. These injuries impacted her form, resulting in three defeats by Audrey Werro, including the loss of her European title.
A New Perspective
Despite the challenges, Hodgkinson remains focused, stating, "Part of me wants to talk about it and then part of me doesn't, because I feel like my words get twisted or people are like 'oh, she's making excuses'." She acknowledges the fall might have contributed to her European Championship injury but emphasizes that she is not making excuses.