Keely Hodgkinson made a promise to herself as she left the track in Budapest a year ago. Securing three global silver medals in consecutive years by the age of 21 might be solely a cause for celebration for many. However, Hodgkinson’s initial reaction of disappointment at the previous year’s World Championships revealed the extent of her lofty aspirations. In Paris, at the age of 22, the moment she had envisioned during years of rigorous training in her quest for the 800m gold finally materialized.

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I have really grown over the last couple of years and this year was the year where you could really tell that I had tried to make that step up,” Hodgkinson said.

“The future is bright. I’m super happy to bring it home for everyone. It’s not just me, it’s a whole team effort and they know who they are. This is our gold medal.”

Inspired to pursue an athletics career at the age of 10 after watching Jessica Ennis-Hill win heptathlon gold at London 2012, she has become the first British woman to win an athletics gold since that moment.

At 13, Hodgkinson underwent an operation to remove a tumour from the left side of her head – non-cancerous but concerningly close to her spine.

Hodgkinson’s improved personal best has taken her to within 1.33secs of Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvil ova’s 41-year-old women’s 800m world record.

It is the current longest standing mark in athletics.

But, following that London performance, Hodgkinson said she now felt that record was beatable.

Given the rate or her progress from a personal best of more than two minutes four years ago, it is not unrealistic to think she may have achieved that historic feat when the Los Angeles 2028 Games come around.

And, when it does, she will be the defending champion.