Georgia Hunter Bell gained the London Diamond League 800m in spectacular style together with her team-mate Keely Hodgkinson out by means of damage and the 1500m specialist is now eyeing a World Championships double
Georgia Hunter-Bell delivered one other blistering assertion of intent over 800m at the Novuna London Athletics Meet to assert the crown from injured team-mate Keely Hodgkinson.
And the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist says she’s going to now search recommendation from Dame Kelly Holmes earlier than deciding whether or not to tackle the shorter distance at September’s World Championships. Hunter Bell, 31, is already certified for her specialist occasion because of final summer season’s Paris success.
However she is starting to set her sights on the 800m as a result of the path to a medal could also be clearer – not least with doubts over the health of coaching associate Hodgkinson.
Hunter Bell has careworn that the perfect is for each to be on the rostrum in Tokyo however she admitted: “You have clearly received to simply look strategically on the occasions.
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“The 1500m has gotten even sooner than final 12 months. I did not assume that was doable however it has once more, whereas the 800m for the time being is just not as quick because it was final 12 months. So it is sort of pondering, should you’re making an attempt to get a medal, what is definitely the perfect factor to do.”
Requested in regards to the possibilities of doubling Hunter Bell mentioned she’s going to attain out to Holmes, who gained gold in each occasions in Athens 21 years in the past, earlier than the trials in Birmingham on August 2.
“lt is technically an possibility as a result of the schedule’s really fairly beneficiant,” she mentioned. “Lots of people can have their opinion. However there’s only a few which have really carried out it and carried out nicely in each.
“I’d wish to see what she has to say about it. I don’t know what’s the smartest thing to do. She’s a little bit of a mentor. She significantly reached out after Paris as a result of she received a bronze medal at 30 years outdated and that was precisely what occurred to me.
“Then she went on a four-year keep to do the double gold in Athens. She felt like she wished to achieve out to me and be like, ‘Simply proceed what you are doing. I’ve actually trodden this path, should you ever want any help.’ She’s received that relationship with Keely as nicely. We’re fortunate to have her.”
Had her hamstring allowed, this was meant to be an excellent homecoming for Hodgkinson. A 12 months in the past she introduced her personal nationwide report all the way down to 1:54.61 earlier than carrying the momentum into that wonderful win at Stade de France.
Hodgkinson is again in coaching and retains hope of being at full power come September. However in her absence up to now this season Hunter Bell has develop into a marked lady.
Her time of 1:56.74 was half a second off the PB set right here when ending third final 12 months however this was her subsequent finest clocking. “I actually wished to get a PB however I’m nonetheless actually pleased with the time,” she added.
Jemma Reekie had carried out a lot of the entrance operating solely to tie up within the remaining phases, ending sixth in 1:58.76, with Laura Muir tenth in a season’s finest 2:00.95.