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Keely Hodgkinson still sidelined nearly a year after Olympic gold

Keely Hodgkinson still sidelined nearly a year after Olympic gold

Times2 days ago
Keely Hodgkinson has been forced to withdraw from the Novuna London Athletics Meet next weekend because of the injury issues that have so far disrupted her season.
Hodgkinson has not raced since clinching Olympic 800m gold in Paris 11 months ago after suffering a series of hamstring and back issues. And while the 23-year-old has returned to full training and remains hopeful of competing at the world championships in Tokyo in September, she is not ready for a Diamond League contest over two laps on July 19.
A statement from her management team said: 'The London meet has come slightly too soon in her return to competition. Together with her team, she has made the decision to delay her season opener by a few more weeks to ensure she is fully race-ready.
'Her priority remains arriving at the World Championships in Tokyo this September in peak form, and this decision supports that long-term goal.
'Her focus is now on completing a solid block of training and opening her 2025 campaign later this month.'
The financial recovery of British ­athletics has continued with a new ­five-year broadcast deal with the BBC. The agreement struck between BBC Sport and Athletic Ventures, the new partnership that includes UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company, does not compare to the £3million-a-year contract that ran until 2020.
But UKA has even been forced to cover production costs for the ­broadcast of its main events since then and the deal certainly reduces that financial burden, with a small amount of rights revenue also now part of the agreement, which runs until 2029.
Research published last month said that athletics was among the sports to have experienced a growth in popularity among 18 to 34-year-olds and the BBC will use its TV and digital platforms to cover the Diamond League event in London as well as the UK indoor and outdoor championships.
The news follows the announcement of a new multimillion pound sponsor, Novuna, for the London Athletics Meet on July 19 as well as the British team, and further improves the financial ­situation for the UKA after what has been a ­difficult few years. In 2023 the ­governing body announced losses of £3.7million, with that figure reduced to £1.2million last year.
Jack Buckner, the UKA chief ­executive, said: 'This five-year deal is testament to our long-term vision and the proven appetite for athletics in this country. In an increasingly competitive sports market where broadcast ­opportunities can be short term or ­uncertain, this extended partnership with BBC sport provides exciting ­continuity for the sport, our athletes and our fans.
'The BBC remains the gold standard in reach and coverage, and this ­agreement ensures British athletics will continue to have a strong, consistent platform to engage millions of viewers across the UK.'
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