Keely Hodgkinson’s bid for European gold continued as she stormed into the final of the women’s 800m – moments after rival Audrey Werro suffered a dramatic fall that put her place in Friday’s showpiece in doubt.
Werro – who ran the fastest time for 43 years earlier this season – led from the start in the first semi-final, but crashed to the floor on the final bend.
The Swiss 22-year-old got back to her feet a moment later and finished the race in last place, grimacing and clutching her chest.
However, Werro will race against Hodgkinson in a highly anticipated final following a successful appeal – despite footage showing she clipped her own leg before falling.
There was less drama in the second semi-final, with Hodgkinson safely crossing the line first in one minute 57.38 seconds.
The Olympic champion led from the start and held off the fast-improving Femke Broeders-Bol – a two-time world 400m hurdles champion who chose to switch events this season – to advance.
Asked if she had seen Werro’s fall before her race, Hodgkinson told BBC TV: “I heard an ‘ooh’ [from the crowd] which is never a good sign. I don’t know what it looked like.”
Speaking before Werro’s appeal, Hodgkinson added: “Obviously it’s a real shame and I hope she’s OK.
“I hope she’s in the final tomorrow [Friday], that’d be a really exciting race.”
