When Keely Hodgkinson steps onto the track inside Rome’s Olympic Stadium this summer, she’ll be carrying the weight and expectation of a nation on her shoulders. 

The reigning 800 metre European champion is fully aware that she enters the arena with all eyes on her, but remains unfazed by what lies ahead.

But how did she get here? What are the challenges she faced? And who inspired the British athlete to lace up her running spikes once more after she gave up on athletics in her formative years?

This is Keely's story. In her words.

Written by: Peter Sanderson and Garry Hayes

Produced by: Garry Hayes

Series mix: Teyler Hayes

Our series music is released under license

For tickets to the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, visit https://roma2024.vivaticket.it/