Leeds Beckett University Talent Hub athlete breaks British indoor 800 metre record

Keely crossed the finish line in one minute 57.20 seconds, beating the previous British indoor record, set by Jemma Reekie, by 0.71 seconds.

The Muller Indoor British Grand Prix was Keely’s first race of 2022, and her record is the fastest time set in the world so far this year.

In September 2020, Keely began studying BA (Hons) Criminology at the university, while training for Tokyo 2020. After winning an Olympic silver medal, Keely deferred her studies to concentrate on her career. An integral member of the university’s successful athletics Talent Hub, Keely has continued to train on campus and receive support from the university.

The Talent Hub, a partnership with British Athletics, England Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Talent Athletes Scholarship Scheme (TASS), provides an elite training environment for its athletes, including support from coaches, academics and access to the University's facilities including the athletics track and the £45m Carnegie School of Sport building.

Leeds Beckett University Talent Hub Manager Dr Andrew Drake said: “It is incredible to see Keely start her 2022 season in the same successful form she ended 2021,

“After winning Olympic silver in Tokyo, to come out and break the British indoor record at the start of the following year shows how much talent and desire she possesses,

“It is going to be a big year for Keely and our Talent Hub athletes, with the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships, on the horizon and Keely has certainly outlined her ambitions with her latest success.”

In her post-race interview with the BBC, Keely said: “First race, to open like that, I couldn’t be any happier,

“I just wanted to go out there, enjoy it in front of a home crowd and do something special,

“To come out and do this (break the record), see people I’ve not seen in a long time, I really enjoyed it. I have the best job in the world I think!”