Keely Hodgkin secured her place in the women's 800m final at the 2026 European Athletics Championships. The British athlete, currently the Olympic champion, dominated her heat in the second semi-final. She led the race from the start and finished first, clocking a time of 1:57.38.
The situation was far more dramatic for Swiss athlete Audrey Werro in the first semi-final. Werro, aged 22, led the race from the start, but on the final bend in Birmingham she fell and finished in last place. After the fall, she held her chest, and the footage showed that French athlete Anais Bourgoin had struck her left leg with her right foot. Earlier camera angles had suggested that Werro may have struck her own leg before falling, but the details of the incident remain a matter of debate.
Despite finishing last, Werro successfully secured her place in the final. She achieved this after lodging a successful protest. Her performance in Birmingham was particularly significant as Werro had run the fastest time in the last 43 years, further highlighting the quality of her current form and potential for the final.
As Hodgkin continues towards a medal with clear dominance and a fast time, Werro will have the opportunity in the final to make up for her poor finish in the semi-final. Both cases highlight the high level of competition and tension characteristic of middle-distance races at European championships.
