KEELY HODGKINSON battled through illness to remain the queen of Europe and admitted: "That's the worst I've ever felt racing."
The 22-year-old led from the outset to win a second European Championships 800m gold in 1min 58.65secs.
And while the manner of her victory here in Rome was not as convincing as anticipated, the key was that she had spent much of the day thinking withdrawing because of a virus.
"It's not been the greatest 24 hours," Hodgkinson said. "I would have liked a better time but it was just about finding a way to win."
With a personal best four seconds faster than the field, she was priced up at 1/33 by bookmakers.
This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DROSS TO BOSS AS LIONS ESCAPE
Southgate had looked lost on touchline until amazing twist
Year of hurt never stopped me dreaming
RELAXED RADUCANU READY TO BE PART OF GLORIOUS SUMMER
It's a Shangri-La moment for our leaders of the pack
GARETH SOUTHGATE and England love a leadership group but for more than an hour and a half of an utterly dreadful performance it went missing.
DUEL'S GOLD
Verstappen and Norris gift laughing Russell a rare win
IT'S OUR MOMENT OF TRUTH
KEVIN SINFIELD has warned England their tour starts now as Steve Borthwick's side prepare to face New Zealand on Saturday in Dunedin.
LOS FIRMLY IN PROFIT
Angeles wins Irish Derby
Tories and Labour working to get small business votes
FOUR in five bosses of small and medium-size businesses are still holding out to be wooed Thursday's General Election.
'Jane saved my life...it's as simple as that'
Dog charity worker nominated for her PTSD crusade
Children killed by missiles
THREE children were among seven civilians killed by a Russian missile attack on a town in southern Ukraine.
Pub's not the best place if you have a hangarover
IT may not be the best choice for a quiet pint - this pub garden is just 50ft from an airport runway.