Hodgkinson and Werro dominate Euro 800m qualifying

Home favourite **Hodgkinson**, who previously won continental crowns in Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago, timed 1min 57.28sec to win her heat. The standard in the 800m event has increased, with **Hodgkinson** saying:

I felt really good. I'm so glad the race was a bit quicker. I felt it was at a similar rhythm to when I train.

Also qualifying with ease for Thursday's semi-finals was Switzerland's **Audrey Werro**, who won her heat in 1:57.83. The rivalry between **Hodgkinson** and **Werro** has set the 800m as one of the must-see races at the Birmingham Euros.

Qualification and Rivalries

World championships finalist **Eloisa Coiro** of Italy set a national record of 1:57.56 in finishing second behind **Hodgkinson**, while three-time European silver medallist **Renelle Lamote** of France could only finish fifth but qualified as one of the fastest finishers outside the automatic spots.

Looking Ahead

Both **Hodgkinson** and **Werro** have been quick to play down any chance the oldest world record in athletics history could be broken: the 1:53.28 set in 1983 by **Jarmila Kratochvilova** of then-Czechoslovakia. Instead, they are focusing on their own performances and the competition ahead. As the semi-finals approach, all eyes will be on these top athletes as they battle for a spot on the podium.

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