Hodgkinson advances to 800m final after rival's fall and reinstatement

Keely Hodgkinson advanced to the women's 800m final at the European Championships in Birmingham after a dramatic semifinal on Thursday, August 13, 2026, which saw her main rival Audrey Werro suffer a heavy fall before being reinstated following an appeal. The incident has set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in Friday's final.

Werro, the Swiss athlete who ran the fastest time in 43 years earlier this season, led the first semifinal from the start. However, on the final bend, she crashed to the ground, with Lithuania's Gabija Galvydyte also falling as the pack attempted to avoid her. Werro eventually regained her feet, finished last, and was seen clutching her chest. An investigation was launched, and after review, both Werro and Galvydyte were advanced to the final. Video replays showed France's Anais Bourgoin's left hand appearing to make contact with Werro's right foot, causing the tumble. This decision means 10 athletes will compete in Friday's final instead of the usual nine.

"I was feeling really great until the last metre, unfortunately, I don't know, something happened and then I was on the ground," Werro said after the race. She confirmed she finished the race...