Audrey Werro holds off Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson to win European 800m gold

Swiss Star Audrey Werro Claims Historic European 800m Title in Dramatic Fashion

Wanderstayfinder.com – In a performance that will be remembered for years to come, Switzerland’s Audrey Werro captured the European Athletics Championships women’s 800 meters gold medal in a thrilling final that saw her hold off Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson in the closing stages. The 22-year-old Swiss athlete delivered a masterclass in endurance and tactical racing, crossing the finish line with a championship-record time of 1 minute 54.81 seconds, shattering a mark that had endured since 1982.

The race unfolded under challenging conditions, with swirling winds battering the competitors throughout their two laps around the track. Despite these elements working against many runners, Werro embraced the difficulty, taking the lead early and maintaining her position through the most demanding portions of the race. What made her achievement even more remarkable was her recovery from a semi-final setback, where she had been tripped and nearly eliminated from the competition entirely.

A Childhood Promise Fulfilled

Werro’s victory carried personal significance beyond the medal itself. Growing up painfully shy, she had received advice from her father that would prove prophetic: she needed to become a lion whenever she stepped onto the track for competition. As Hodgkinson pressed her on the outside during the final straight, with Dutch sprinter Femke Broeders-Bol also in contention, Werro summoned that inner ferocity.

When I was a child, my dad used to tell me I had to be a lion. So I decided to do a celebration with that when I crossed the line.

The deafening roar of 23,000 home supporters could not shake Werro’s composure. Even when Broeders-Bol had spiked her after the 200-meter mark, and even as the wind threatened to disrupt her rhythm, the Swiss runner remained focused. Her determination culminated in a victory that left Hodgkinson looking visibly disappointed despite her strong performance.

Hodgkinson’s Silver and Philosophical Response

Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, seeking her third consecutive European 800m title, ran a personal best of 1:55.01 to claim silver. The Olympic champion had specifically requested favorable weather conditions before the final, hoping the absence of wind would aid her bid for glory. Instead, blustery conditions prevailed throughout the race.

It doesn’t sting because I was beaten by a great athlete. I think I put together a pretty good race. I don’t think I did anything wrong. The thing about the 800m is you have a million different ways of going in your head but I covered every move well. I just didn’t have enough.

Hodgkinson acknowledged that she believed she had secured victory in the final 50 meters before realizing Werro’s strength would see her through. Her gracious response highlighted her understanding of the sport’s unpredictability.

We’re all going to win some, lose some. Shit happens. Audrey fell over yesterday. She’d made it back. I know what that took out of me a few weeks ago. So yeah, incredible for her. And yeah, life goes on. I’ll go back and train and just hope I get it next time.

Additional Medal Highlights

Britain enjoyed another podium finish through Zharnel Hughes, who captured silver in the men’s 200 meters with a time of 20.16 seconds despite battling a groin injury. Germany’s Owen Ansah claimed gold in 19.95 seconds, though his victory carries controversy following a recommendation from Germany’s National Anti-Doping Agency for a four-year suspension due to a missed test in July. Hughes would be upgraded to gold if Ansah receives the ban.

Italy’s Eseosa Fostine Desalu and Switzerland’s Timothé Mumenthaler shared bronze honors in the men’s 200 meters, both recording 20.26 seconds in a rare dead heat. Earlier in the competition, Italy’s Nadia Battocletti completed a distance double by adding the 10,000 meters title to her 5,000 meters crown with a devastating 28-second surge over the final 200 meters.

Norway’s Karsten Warholm set a new championship record of 46.63 seconds in the men’s 400 meters hurdles, while Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi celebrated his 2.32-meter gold medal victory by asking the crowd to sing happy birthday to his one-year-old daughter, Camilla. Meanwhile, Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson struggled with a calf issue, finishing day one of the women’s heptathlon in 16th place with 3,644 points, well behind leader Adrianna Sulek-Schube.

Werro’s achievement places her among the elite, having recorded the third, fourth, and ninth fastest times in history since June. While Hodgkinson’s disappointment is understandable, few would bet against the British runner reclaiming her throne in future competitions.