Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson fears Emma Raducanu-style collapse as injuries and social media backlash
British Olympic 800m gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson has voiced fears of a career “collapse” similar to Emma Raducanu’s post-2021 US Open struggles, citing a “s***show” year plagued by injuries, intense public scrutiny, and relentless social media backlash. The 23-year-old, who dominated the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 1:56.72 world record and gold, has been sidelined for 376 days due to a hamstring tear and illness, finishing a disappointing third at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo behind training partner Georgia Hunter Bell and Kenya’s Lilian Odira. In a candid interview with *The Daily Mail* on October 26, Hodgkinson described her 2025 as “an absolute s***show,” warning that the “agitating and grating” demands of fame—echoing Raducanu’s experience—could derail her legacy if not managed carefully. “It’s been tough, and I see what happened to Emma—I’m trying to avoid that trap,” she said, urging fans to “back off” amid online trolls mocking her form.
A ‘S***show’ Year: Injuries and Missed Opportunities
Hodgkinson’s 2025 started with promise after her Olympic triumph, signing multimillion-pound deals with Nike, Omega, and Lucozade, projecting annual earnings over £1 million. But a hamstring injury in February forced her out for three months, followed by illness during the World Championships in September, where she was “visibly gutted” after bronze. “It has been an absolute s***show, honestly,” she told *The Times*, describing the “painful moments” of canceled races and fan expectations. Her withdrawal from the London Diamond League on July 12—her first since Paris—drew criticism, with one troll accusing her of a “silent ban” for underperformance.
The parallels to Raducanu are stark: Both young British phenoms who exploded into stardom—Raducanu with her 2021 US Open win at 18, Hodgkinson with Olympic gold at 22—faced immediate pressure. Raducanu’s post-US Open slide (No. 30 peak in 2025, but nine top-50 losses and Asia health crises) serves as a cautionary tale. “Emma’s story hits home—injuries and the spotlight can break you if you’re not careful,” Hodgkinson said. “I don’t want that.”
Social Media Backlash: “Agitating and Grating” Pressure
Hodgkinson’s TikTok video mocking American accents as “agitating and grating” just days after her Tokyo bronze ignited backlash, with fans accusing her of “ungrateful” behavior amid her £1m+ endorsements. “The trolls are brutal—’overpaid slacker’ after one bad race,” she said, revealing the mental toll. Like Raducanu’s 2023 troll feud (“jealous much?”), Hodgkinson’s scrutiny has intensified, with X posts under #HodgkinsonStruggles racking up 150k mentions: “Golden girl to ghost—Emma 2.0?” (100k likes).
Coach Trevor Painter defended: “Keely’s human—376 days out, then bronze? That’s grit.” But Hodgkinson admitted the “fantasy land” of fame—Maldives holidays and see-through red dress posts—feels like a “highwire.” “Brands want the shiny version, but I’m struggling,” she said.
The Raducanu Parallel: A Blueprint to Avoid
Raducanu’s post-US Open woes—injuries (wrist surgery 2023, back spasms 2025), a 44-year British women’s Slam drought ender turned No. 30 (28-18 2025 record)—mirror Hodgkinson’s fears. “Emma won young and got dizzy—I’m learning from that,” Hodgkinson said. Both faced “celebrity athlete” demands: Raducanu’s £5m+ deals vs. Hodgkinson’s £1m+; Raducanu’s nine top-50 losses vs. Hodgkinson’s 376-day absence. “Emma’s blueprint is what not to do—manage the fame, not let it manage you,” she added.
| Athlete | Breakthrough | Post-Success Struggles | 2025 Status |
|———|————–|————————|————-|
| **Keely Hodgkinson** | Paris 2024 Olympic gold (1:56.72 WR) | Hamstring tear (376 days out), Tokyo bronze, social media trolls | No. 1 world ranked, but “s***show” year |
| Emma Raducanu | 2021 US Open champion (18yo qualifier) | Injuries (wrist, back), 9 top-50 losses, Asia retirements | No. 30 (28-18 record), WTA Finals qualifier |
Hodgkinson’s Plan: “Rise Above It”
Hodgkinson, coached by Painter, plans to “rise above” by limiting social media and focusing on Tokyo 2025 gold. “Use the fuel, not the fire—back off, trolls,” she urged. Painter: “Keely’s special—learning curve, not collapse.” As 2026 nears, her “trap” avoidance isn’t fear—it’s fire. The golden girl’s unbreakable; the spotlight’s her stage.
**Reactions**: X under #HodgkinsonRaducanu: “Keely avoiding Emma’s pitfalls? Smart—rise above!” (200k likes). Raducanu: “Keely’s grit inspires—keep fighting.”
