Trevor Painter, coach to Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, recently reflected on the journey that led to her gold-medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Having guided Hodgkinson from a promising junior to a global champion, Painter revealed insights into the strategies and planning that helped Hodgkinson overcome both physical and mental challenges on the world’s biggest stage.
Despite Hodgkinson’s historic victory in Paris, Painter believes the performance could have been even more dominant. Earlier in the season, she had run a British record of 1:54.61 at the London Diamond League, marking one of the fastest times ever recorded in the women’s 800m. This scorching pace raised expectations, and Painter had hoped to replicate that speed in Paris, believing it would have set a clear marker for her competitors. If Hodgkinson could have matched her earlier form, the victory would have been even more emphatic, with the competition conceding early on.
However, the race in Paris didn’t unfold quite as expected. In the final, Hodgkinson ran a more tactical race, clocking 58 seconds for the first lap, which allowed her competitors to remain in contention. The pace was slower than the earlier season performances, but this strategy kept the field in check while Hodgkinson conserved energy for a strong finish. At 150 meters to go, it seemed like the gold medal could be in jeopardy, but in the final stretch, Hodgkinson surged ahead to seal the victory with a time of 1:56.72.
For Painter, the real relief came in the last 120 meters, when he knew Hodgkinson had enough left in the tank to secure the win. It was a moment of calm after the tension of the race, which had seemed much closer for much of the final. Hodgkinson’s victory marked a turning point in her career, as it ended a series of silver medals from previous global competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and World Championships in 2022 and 2023.
Leading up to the Olympics, Hodgkinson faced additional challenges, including a demanding semi-final run of 1:56.86, which left her fatigued. The absence of a customary rest day between the semi-finals and the final added to the pressure. Painter acknowledged that this was something Hodgkinson was not used to, and it played on her mind. The stakes of the Olympic final also brought additional nerves, making it all the more important to maintain focus.
To manage these pressures, Painter, alongside his wife and co-coach Jenny Meadows, emphasized simplicity. After the semi-final, Hodgkinson expressed her desire to put on an impressive performance in the final. However, Painter and Meadows advised her to focus solely on winning the gold medal, rather than trying to entertain the crowd. This focused mindset ultimately paid off, with Hodgkinson crossing the line first and claiming her Olympic gold.
Beyond the personal achievement, Hodgkinson’s victory solidified her place as one of Britain’s greatest athletes. The gold medal was particularly significant as it marked the first track gold for Great Britain since Mo Farah’s double victory in Rio 2016. It also earned her the 2024 British Sportswoman of the Year award, further cementing her reputation. She has become a major figure in British athletics and a strong contender for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Despite her success, Hodgkinson’s ambitions remain high. Currently training in South Africa, she is already looking ahead to defending her 800m world title in Tokyo in 2025, the site of her first Olympic medal. With her proven ability to rise to the occasion under pressure, Hodgkinson’s journey may be far from over. If her performance in Paris is any indication, the best may still be yet to come.
Painter, for his part, has watched Hodgkinson evolve from a young athlete with potential to a seasoned champion. His approach to coaching has been about more than just physical preparation; it’s about managing the mental aspects of high-level competition and ensuring his athletes remain grounded despite the spotlight. With the partnership between Painter, Hodgkinson, and Meadows, it’s clear that this coaching trio has laid the groundwork for even more success in the years ahead.
