Hodgkinson withdraws from Zurich Diamond League
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from the Zurich Diamond League 800m race, citing that her body is not yet ready to compete following the European Championships. She joins other notable athletes, including Lilian Odira, in missing the event due to health concerns.
Why it matters
The withdrawal highlights the physical toll of a condensed international athletics calendar on elite performers.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Keely Hodgkinson did not compete at the Lausanne Diamond League last week
Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from the women's 800 metres at Thursday's Diamond League meeting in Zurich because her "body is not quite ready".
Olympic champion Hodgkinson had been set to go head-to-head with Switzerland's Audrey Werro, who beat the Briton to gold at the European Championships in Birmingham earlier this month.
"Unfortunately the body isn't quite ready to race again after the European Championships," Hodgkinson said in a statement.
"We've made the decision to skip this race and get ready for the next one. Sad to miss it, hopefully see you next year!"
The race will feature world 400m hurdles champion Femke Broeders-Bol, who has stepped up to the 800m this season, and Hodgkinson's training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell, who won 800m gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month.
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