Werro upstages Hodgkinson to win Euro 800m gold

Switzerland's Audrey Werro upstaged home favourite Keely Hodgkinson to win European women's 800m gold in Birmingham on Friday.

Werro ran a championship record of 1min 54.81sec for victory with Olympic champion Hodgkinson taking silver with 1:55.01.

Former 400m hurdles world champion Femke Broeders-Bol of the Netherlands claimed bronze in 1:55.54.

The showdown between Hodgkinson and Werro, and to a lesser degree Broeders-Bol, had been touted as the one of the stand-out events of these championships.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, twice an Olympic 800m silver medallist and European champion in the event in Stuttgart in 1986, had predicted the race would be "one for the ages and the race of the championships".

In the end, Werro was too strong for Hodgkinson, pulling away from her on the top bend.

"It's been up and down over the last hours, I'm very happy with the medal," said Werro, who was brought crashing to the track in Thursday's semi-final and was only included in the final after appealing that she had been clipped from behind.

Hodgkinson, who was seeking a third title having previously won continental crowns in Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago, added: "I think I'd be happier with the gold. It was a great race."

Hodgkinson started out fast and got out front as the athletes jostled for position after the break from lanes.

The Briton had the inside line, but Werro lurked on her outside shoulder and it wasn't long before the Swiss took control.

One surge from Werro and she was out in front, shooting through the bell for the final lap in a rapid-fire 56.45sec.

Hodgkinson fought back past Broeders-Bol and at 150m tried to make a move on Werro.

The Swiss athlete, however, held on for grim life and ultimately secured an impressive victory over her British rival.

The sound of Swiss cowbells ringing rang around Alexander Stadium as Werro crossed the line.

lp/gj

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