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, with footage showing France’s Anais Bourgoin had hit Werro’s right foot with her left hand.
An earlier angle seemed to show Werro had 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 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.”
