Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell stormed to her first global title as she claimed 1500m gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland.
Returning to the championships at which she represented Great Britain for the first time just two years ago, Olympic bronze medallist Hunter Bell reeled in Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom before bursting clear of her rivals on the final lap to win in three minutes 58.53 seconds.
This was the 32-year-old’s fifth major international medal – and fourth on the global stage – as she continues to establish herself at the top of the sport which she did not return to until 2022 after a five-year break.
It was the fourth-placed finish at the 2024 world indoors in Glasgow which provided Hunter Bell with the necessary evidence that she could compete with the world’s best – and should take a summer sabbatical from her full-time job to achieve her Olympic dream.
The British team captain in Torun, Hunter Bell had won both of her 1500m races this season in preparation for chasing her first global crown.
She remained patient as Haylom opened up a significant lead in the early stages, gradually reducing the gap before launching her devastating attack for gold at the bell.
Hunter Bell’s triumph came moments before Molly Caudery guaranteed herself a women’s pole vault medal.
It was Great Britain’s second medal in Torun, following Josh Kerr’s 3,000m gold on Saturday.
More to follow.