Jemma Reekie, the World Indoor 800m silver medallist, has opened up about her challenges and aspirations ahead of the 2025 World Championships. After a tough 2024 season, which included a disappointing experience at the Paris Olympics, Reekie is determined to make a comeback and compete with the world’s best, including Mary Moraa, Keely Hodgkinson, Tsige Duguma, and Athing Mu.
The 2024 season was one of mixed emotions for Reekie. She entered the Paris Olympics with high expectations, believing she could secure a medal, especially after finishing fourth in the 800m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, things didn’t go as planned, and she failed to reach the final in Paris, which was a significant blow for the Briton. Reflecting on the experience, Reekie admitted that Paris was a tough challenge, as she had hoped to improve on her previous Olympic performance and finally secure a podium finish.
“It was my second Olympics, and I was confident that a medal would have been a realistic goal,” she explained. “It was really hard not achieving what I wanted, but there were still positives to take from the season.”
Despite this setback, Reekie is not deterred. She is focused on the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she intends to prove herself and challenge the top runners in the 800m. To reach this level, Reekie acknowledges the need for continuous improvement and more dedicated work, especially to surpass her key rivals. In particular, she is keen to improve her training regimen and make strides in her 800m performance, believing that this will put her in contention for the top spots.
In a bid to improve, Reekie has made a significant change in her coaching team. She is now working with coach Jon, and the early results of their collaboration are promising. Reekie has been seeing progress in her training, and she is confident that with more time and dedication, she will be able to reach her full potential. “It’s only been a year working with Jon, and we’ve made a lot of progress. I’ve shown physically that I can do what we need to do, and more,” she said. “But it’s going to take more time.”
One of the key elements of Reekie’s training is her continued focus on the 1500m, which she believes plays a crucial role in helping her improve in the 800m. By running 1500m races, she works on building her endurance and speed, both of which are essential for the two-lap event. This mix of 800m and 1500m training, along with more focused gym work, has been an essential part of her preparation. Reekie noted that she is doing more strength training than ever before to complement her running and ensure she is physically prepared for the challenges ahead.
“The level of 800m running right now is insane,” she observed. “Times like 1:57 are becoming the new two-minute barrier, and that’s the standard I’m aiming for. My 1:55 this year shows I’m still up there with the top times, and I’m confident I can push even further.”
As Reekie continues her preparations for the World Championships, she remains focused on achieving her goal of securing a medal. She believes that her dedication to training, coupled with her evolving relationship with her coach, will set her on the path to success. She remains committed to showing the world that consistency, hard work, and the right mindset can lead to greatness.
The road ahead will not be easy, as she faces fierce competition from the likes of Moraa, Hodgkinson, and other rising stars in the 800m. But Reekie is determined to rise to the occasion, prove her potential, and make her mark on the global stage in 2025.
