Imagine filming “Mission: Impossible” without Tom Cruise sprinting through a single scene, or Batman swinging through Gotham without Bruce Wayne ever revealing his identity. Or let’s take Dragon Ball Evolution which presented a story so far removed from Goku’s original tale that fans questioned if the scriptwriters had ever seen the source material. Well, that’s how the track and field enthusiasts must have felt when Keely Hodgkinson pulled out of the ‘Keeley Klassic‘, an event literally named after her, owing to a hamstring injury.

Fans went sarcastic over the social media platform X expressing their disappointment, making the injured athlete come out and clear things over her injury. The 22-year-old distance runner took to Instagram to announce her injury on Thursday, 13th February, two days before she was supposed to participate in the anticipated event. Her fans, already frustrated over the BBC broadcast controversy, did not take the news lightly.

Much of the frustration likely stemmed from the severity of the injury, especially since Keely initially downplayed it on Instagram as just a hamstring issue. However, the reality turned out to be far worse. Scans revealed that Hodgkinson suffered a severe Grade 3C tear in her tendon at the top of her hamstring—an injury that will sideline her for at least six weeks.

The reigning Olympic 800m gold medalist further clarified the extent of the injury in a conversation with Athletics Weekly. She stated, “We were doing some strides at the end of my training session and I just felt some tightness in my hamstring. I pulled back early on the rep and initially thought that it was a little bit of a cramp. So I decided to get a scan and that revealed a slight tear in the tendon at the top of the hamstring.”

The 22-year-old further expressed disappointment at the setback. “This shouldn’t affect the outdoor season at all. God willing that no other injuries come my way! I’m happy about that but it’s just a bit of a shame that I’ve missed the Keely Klassic and I won’t be racing for a long time.”

However, Hodgkinson was hopeful for the future amidst the hubbub. “However, I worked really hard and we pulled out a miracle. It’s a shame and annoying that we can’t show what we’ve been working on but it’s okay, I’ll get another chance next time.”

The Keely Klassic might be missing its marquee star, but even without the Olympic gold medalist, there’s hope that the inaugural edition will live up to its name and deliver an unforgettable event.

New track for British talent: The Keely Klassic

In December 2024, shortly after winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Keely Hodgkinson announced the launch of her own indoor athletics event—the Keely Klassic. The event was designed to bring together Britain’s finest track and field talent while offering fans an unforgettable experience.

“We want to make this event an experience like no other—for athletes and fans alike,” Keely shared. “We’re creating an atmosphere that fuses the intensity of world-class sport with the energy and excitement of live entertainment. I can’t wait to be part of this new chapter, and I’m excited for fans to witness history in the making.”

Set to take place on February 15 at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, the event will feature top names like Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist Georgia Hunter-Bell and 2023 European Indoor Championships 1,500m silver medalist Neil Gourley. Keely herself was originally scheduled to race and attempt to break the fastest indoor 800m record, which has stood untouched since 2002 at 1:55.82, held by Jolanda Čeplak.

However, fate had other plans. Despite the setback, she remains hopeful that the event will still deliver a spectacular show. “This event was never just about me. From the start, it was about bringing fresh energy to our sport, celebrating British talent, and connecting with the next generation of fans. And we look forward to still bringing that to life,” she expressed on Instagram.

While Keely Hodgkinson is now focused on recovery and the outdoor season, the question remains—when she returns, will she take another shot at history?