Audrey Werro clocks 1:53.98 in 800m, third fastest in history, as Hodgkinson sets British best

Swiss sensation Werro storms to victory

Audrey Werro produced a stunning 800m performance at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, winning in 1:53.98. The 22-year-old Swiss runner overhauled Britain's Keely Hodgkinson in the final 50 metres after the Olympic champion had made a bold move with 300m to go. Pacemaker Rachel Klopfenstein, who recently switched allegiance to Mauritius, took the field through the first lap in a swift 55.54 seconds.

It was not my goal to run such a time today. I just wanted to be fast and stay with Keely, now I'm ahead of her.

Werro's time eclipsed her own Swiss record of 1:55.91, set in August 2025, by nearly two seconds. It was also the fastest in the world this year, a Diamond League record and a meeting record. She had already won the Rabat Diamond League a week earlier in 1:56.56.

Historical context

Werro's mark is the third-fastest women's 800m in history. Only Jarmila Kratochvilova's world record of 1:53.28 from 1983 and Nadezhda Olizarenko's 1:53.43 from 1980 stand ahead of her. No woman had broken 1:54 since the 1980s, including Caster Semenya, who never managed the feat.

Hodgkinson finished second in a personal best and British record of 1:54.33, moving her to sixth on the all-time list. American Roisin Willis took third in 1:57.56.

Hodgkinson's resolve and world record ambition

Despite the loss, Hodgkinson remained upbeat about her quest to break Kratochvilova's long-standing mark.

Honestly, I'm not that disappointed. I've mentioned the world record, and to get down to the times that we're talking about, you can't do it by yourself. So I think this will actually be a pivotal moment.

The 24-year-old Briton, who had been focusing on 400m and 1500m work, said the race gave her extra motivation. She plans to peak for the London Diamond League in July, where she still believes she can set a world record.

I really work well with a little bit of anger and motivation so I can't complain too much. She's getting the best out of me and I still believe in myself — the world record is still my goal in London next month.

Werro, for her part, said she needed time to absorb the performance.

I need a week to process this. It's crazy, I'm very happy with my time.

The duel between the two is expected to be a highlight of the European Championships in Birmingham in August.

Other Diamond League highlights

In the pole vault, Armand Duplantis suffered a rare defeat in his home city. The Swede, who was unbeaten in 40 consecutive competitions dating back to July 2023, could only clear 5.80m and finished second to Australia's Kurtis Marschall, who jumped 5.90m.

Over 1500m, Switzerland's Joceline Wind placed fifth in 4:04.66. The race was won by Ethiopian Birke Haylom in 4:00.68.