With London’s bid currently stalled by the scheduling row, other major international cities are ready to pounce. Rome, Munich, and Nairobi are all expected to submit rival bids for the 2029 showpiece. Lord Coe has insisted that the September date is vital for the sport's clarity, avoiding situations where fans are "confused" by athletes competing in minor meets immediately after a major championship.
Final submissions for the event are due in early August, but without a guarantee that the Olympic Park will be available, the UK's hopes of bringing the world's best back to London remain thin. For Hodgkinson and her teammates, the battle for the stadium is proving to be just as competitive as the races on the track.