Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic champion in the 800m, is gearing up for the World Indoor Championships in Poland this weekend. Ahead of the event, she reflected on her experience at last year's outdoor World Championships, where she felt 'awful' during the competition. Hodgkinson's preparation for this indoor championship has been notably better than her build-up last year, where she had to recover from an injury that hindered her performance in Tokyo.

During a live interview with BBC, Hodgkinson articulated her feelings regarding the competition rounds, describing them as 'awful.' She discussed how these rounds can be daunting, yet she is determined to focus on enjoying her time in the stadium for this championship. Her candid expression of her frustrations highlights the emotional pressures faced by athletes at high-stakes events, especially following her prior successes.

Looking ahead, Hodgkinson is viewed as a strong contender for the gold medal, particularly after recently breaking the indoor 800m record. Her experiences and mindset going into the World Indoor Championships underscore the mental aspects of competitive athletics, revealing how previous struggles can influence an athlete's current outlook and performance.