Olympics 2024: Keely Hodgkinson cruises into 800m final ESPN

SAINT-DENIS, France -- Gold medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson comfortably won her women's 800-metre semifinal on Sunday, although compatriots Jemma Reekie and Phoebe Gill both missed out on qualification for Monday's final.

Hodgkinson gave a commanding performance in which she led throughout. She qualified with the fastest time of the semifinals, over half a second quicker than the second-fastest time set by Tsige Duguma.

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"You can't take any chances and it gave me good practice for tomorrow as well but I just wanted to be safe in qualifying," Hodgkinson said to the BBC after her race. "Job done, we're in the final now, mission is on.

"I've said it all year, I really want to upgrade my silver. I think I am in the best shape physically, mentally and emotionally to do that that I have been ever.

"I just hope that I can really put that together tomorrow and let's see what we can do."

Reekie had been expected to challenge for a medal, but ran out of steam in her semifinal. She was jostling with Duguma for first place but slowed up with 50 metres to go, eventually finishing in fifth.

"It was really tough, and I'm in the best shape of my life, and I was coming here to fight for one of those medals. But it's the Olympics, it's really tough out there," Reekie said.

"I was happy with the way I ran it but I'll have to watch the race back and see what I can do better."

Meanwhile, Gill, who is competing at her debut Games aged 17, came fourth in her race.

"I'm very emotional right now, and that is not from being sad - that's from being proud of myself," Gill said after the race.

"It's a whirlwind of emotions coming into the Games and performing in front of that many people. I'm not used to that.

"Walking through that call room, there was a door slightly open and you can see the thousands of people in the stands. It can be quite intimidating.

"But to go out there and give it my all on that track. I'm just so happy to get through one round and to say that I'm an Olympian now.

"I hope to make LA in 2028, I'll know what to expect. It's opened a whole new door for me, competing against athletes I used to watch on tv for so long. I feel so mature in myself, and I'm so happy that I was able to face it and not back out. Onwards and upwards from here."