Keely Hodgkinson’s Sponsorship Rise and Track Struggles Fuel Raducanu-Style Decline Concerns

Keely Hodgkinson: From Olympic Glory to a Year of Struggles
(Images: Hodgkinson celebrating her 2024 Olympic win; Hodgkinson with her MBE; Raducanu at the US Open)

Olympic Triumph to Setbacks
In 2024, Keely Hodgkinson, then 22, cemented her status as Britain’s golden girl by storming to 800m gold at the Paris Olympics. The Wigan-born athlete overcame immense pressure to deliver a career-defining performance, earning accolades like Sports Personality of the Year and lucrative deals with Nike and Omega. Experts predicted annual endorsements exceeding £1M ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

But 14 months later, Hodgkinson’s world unraveled. Plagued by injuries and setbacks, she candidly dubbed the period a “s***show,” raising concerns she might follow Emma Raducanu’s trajectory of post-success struggles.

Injuries and Heartbreak
Hodgkinson’s woes began shortly after Paris with a hamstring strain, which escalated into a tear ahead of her comeback race in February 2025. A subsequent back injury—blamed on sitting too long during her MBE ceremony in May—further delayed her return. At the Tokyo World Championships in late 2025, she managed only third place, visibly gutted amid a stomach bug and lingering physical issues.

“The second injury broke my heart,” she admitted, referencing her 376-day hiatus from racing. Critics questioned her commitment, but Hodgkinson fired back: “People assumed I was doing nothing. When you’re low, negativity sticks. My favorite button? Block.”

Celebrity Status and Scrutiny
(Images: Hodgkinson on the BRIT Awards red carpet; her brunette vs. blonde transformation)

Hodgkinson’s fame surged even during her absence. She graced TV shows like Jonathan Ross and dazzled at the BRIT Awards in a daring outfit. Recently, she turned heads with a brunette makeover in New York, later reverting to blonde with a playful “Jungle Barbie” Instagram post. Social media also showcased her Maldives vacation—white bikini snaps and a see-through red dress for the “Throwing a Fit” trend.

While fans praised her style, critics argued her focus should remain on athletics. “Everything she does is scrutinized now,” observed one insider.

The Raducanu Parallel
(Image: Raducanu lifting the 2021 US Open trophy)

Hodgkinson’s challenges mirror Emma Raducanu’s post-2021 US Open slump. Raducanu, now 22, struggled with injuries and commercial pressures after her shock victory, admitting, “I wasn’t prepared for the off-court demands. I’ve learned to say ‘no’ more.”

Hodgkinson faces similar crossroads. Can she balance fame and sport better than Raducanu? The Brit insists she’s prioritizing recovery and training, but the path ahead is fraught.

Looking Ahead
With the 2028 Olympics looming, Hodgkinson must navigate rehabilitation, endorsements, and public expectations. Her journey serves as a cautionary tale of the pressures facing modern athletes-turned-celebrities. As Raducanu noted, “Structure and boundaries are key.” For Hodgkinson, the race to reclaim her golden status has only just begun.

(Images: Hodgkinson training post-injury; a split image of her Olympic win vs. Tokyo podium)

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