Keely Hodgkinson took gold at the Olympic Games - now she's being tipped to take home the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The Atherton-born athlete captured the hearts of Great Britain and had the nation on its feet when she clinched gold in the Olympic 800m event at the 2024 Games in Paris.
Hodgkinson, 22, has been a favourite for the SPOTY title for some time, but her place in the final shortlist was officially confirmed on December 9. Her journey is truly inspiring, having narrowly missed out on gold at the Tokyo Games four years earlier, where she secured a silver medal.
On Tuesday, December 17, the 22-year-old will discover if she can add the prestigious SPOTY trophy to her impressive haul. As anticipation builds for the awards ceremony, Express Sport delves into other intriguing aspects of her life.
Who are the BBC SPOTY nominees?
Hodgkinson may be the bookies' top pick, but she faces stiff competition from several other sporting luminaries. England footballer Jude Bellingham is among the contenders, following his La Liga and Champions League triumphs with Real Madrid in his debut season and contributing to the Three Lions' journey to the Euro 2024 final.
Darts prodigy Luke Littler is also a strong contender, having reached the PDC World Darts Championship final at the age of 16 and winning the darts Premier League at the age of 17.
Other worthy contenders include Olympic triathlon gold medallist Alex Yee, England cricket stalwart Joe Root, and Paracyclist Sarah Storey.
Keely Hodgkinson's net worth
In November, Keely Hodgkinson's net worth was pegged at approximately £250,000, but that figure is set to soar. Sports finance guru Dr Rob Wilson predicts she could rake in £1 million annually leading up to the 2028 Olympics.
Her Olympic gold alone is believed to have bagged her at least £39,000. Should she clinch the SPOTY award, her profile and wealth are expected to rocket even further.
Dr Wilson explained to Saxo in August: "Keely is already becoming one of the most recognisable faces for UK athletics. Now she has managed to grab the gold, she can expect a stellar relationship with brands, marketing agencies, and UK Athletics, becoming a poster athlete for endorsements and associated commercial activities."
Keely Hodgkinson's dating life
Turning to her personal life, Hodgkinson has kept tight-lipped about her dating history. The British track star confided to the Sunday Times that distance put an end to her romance with a fellow athlete.
She said: "Long distance killed it. He was living in Texas and then Italy. With my schedule, we could go weeks without seeing each other. It was tough."
She also revealed that she is not going out of her way to try to find a boyfriend, especially when it comes to Online dating. She said: "I'm not really interested in dating right now.
"I've never been on the apps. I like meeting people in real life."
Friendship with Ella Toone
Beyond her own sporting prowess, Hodgkinson shares a heartwarming bond with another celebrated athlete, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone. Their friendship blossomed in their hometown of Atherton, where Hodgkinson earned the endearing nickname 'Mini Ella' due to her constant companionship with the football star.
In a candid conversation with the Mirror, Hodgkinson fondly reminisced about her long-standing connection with Toone.
She said: "We are just two young girls living their dreams. Ella and I went to school together.
"She was two years older but somehow we ended up getting on really well. I was referred to as the 'mini Ella' so we always kept in touch."