Sir Alex Ferguson posing for a photo with Keely Hodgkinson
Sir Alex Ferguson had a great exchange with Keely Hodgkinson
Keely Hodgkinson was told by Sir Alex Ferguson that she might not fully value her Olympic gold medal until her career ends, during a heartfelt exchange at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old Atherton native became one of Britain's favourite athletes when she won 800 metres gold in the Paris Olympic Games. It was the crowning moment of her career after winning silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Hodgkinson is the favourite with the bookmakers to clinch this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, but will be pushed all the way by 17-year-old darts sensation and Premier League winner Luke Littler, who was also recently announced as a contender for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. But while Hodgkinson cherishes her achievements and career to date, Ferguson told the Atherton native that she will not be able to drink it all in until she retires truly.
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She told the Daily Mail: "It was really nice to be recognised by the team that I've supported my entire life. We met Sir Alex Ferguson, which was crazy. He was very nice, very chatty. I showed him my gold medal. He said, 'You'll only appreciate this in 20 years' time when you're done'."
Current odds place Hodgkinson as the frontrunner at 3/10 for the esteemed public-voted prize, with Littler trailing at 13/2, and cyclist Mark Cavendish further back at 28/1, according to Odds Checker.
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Hodgkinson is not the only SPOTY contender to receive some words of wisdom from Ferguson. After his narrow 7-4 loss to Luke Humphries in last year's World Darts Championship final, Littler was invited to Old Trafford.
After United's 2-2 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur in January, Littler also got to meet the iconic United boss. Looking back on the experience, he said: "Warrington Wolves invited me down, and I went to the Manchester United game and met Sir Alex Ferguson. To meet him was amazing and he said some lovely things to me about staying dedicated and believing in myself."
With the World Championship on the horizon, Littler is gearing up for what could be a remarkable tournament. His meteoric rise was highlighted by last year's impressive journey to the final, making him a favourite to clinch victory at Ally Pally this time around.
His preparations couldn't have been better, having triumphed magnificently in the Grand Slam of Darts and giving Humphries a run for his money in the Players' Championship final not long after.
Speaking on his nomination for SPOTY, Littler said: "It's been an amazing year and to be in the running for Young Sports Personality of the Year tops it off. If I have brought more fans to darts, then that's all that matters to me."