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Hodgkinson and Kerr Target World Records at London Diamond League

British athletics stars Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr are set to attempt world record bids at the London Diamond League meeting this Saturday. The event will see Hodgkinson challenge the longest-standing individual track record in the women's 800m, while Kerr aims for the prestigious men's mile record.

  • Keely Hodgkinson will attempt to break the 1983 women's 800m world record.
  • Josh Kerr is targeting the men's mile world record, which has stood since 1999.
  • The London Athletics Meet will feature a host of British and global stars.
  • Live coverage will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 13:00 BST on Saturday.
  • Hodgkinson has faced injury setbacks this season but recently improved her British record.

The buzz is building, the anticipation is palpable – this Saturday's Diamond League meeting at London Stadium promises to be an electrifying spectacle that will leave athletics fans on the edge of their seats! British heroes Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr are set to take centre stage in a bid to break long-standing world records that have stood the test of time, sending shivers down the spines of spectators packed into the sold-out 60,000-strong crowd.

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, 24, will unleash her trademark speed and power as she tackles the women's 800m at 15:51 BST, aiming to supplant Jarmila Kratochvilova's record of one minute and 53.28 seconds, set way back in 1983. Despite a challenging outdoor season – marred by injury concerns, including a training fall that left her strapped up with knee troubles – Hodgkinson has shown she means business with a string of impressive performances. Her world indoor title in March and a new world indoor record in February have been a masterclass display of her immense potential. With Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma and Dutch star Femke Broeders-Bol breathing down her neck, the stakes are high for this young British star.

Meanwhile, 2023 world 1500m champion Josh Kerr, 28, will unleash his fierce competitiveness as he takes aim at Hicham El Guerrouj's record of three minutes 43.13 seconds, set in 1999 and a milestone that has eluded British athletes for far too long. With a personal best of 3:45.34, Kerr is well within striking distance, and his determination to bring the record 'home' will only fuel his fire. Paced by training partner Brannon Kidder and joined by fellow Scot Neil Gourley, Kerr faces a formidable challenge from Yared Nuguse – the fourth fastest miler in history.

But it's not just Hodgkinson and Kerr who'll be vying for glory at London Stadium. The packed men's 100m field features Zharnel Hughes, while Amy Hunt, Dina Asher-Smith, and Success Eduan will battle for bragging rights in the women's 200m. Matthew Hudson-Smith takes to the track in the men's 400m, and Max Burgin and Ben Pattison will join the men's 800m field. Global superstars Armand Duplantis, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Julien Alfred, and Oblique Seville will also be competing – making this a true athletics extravaganza!

Don't worry if you can't make it to London Stadium in person; live coverage of the London Athletics Meet will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 13:00 BST. The BBC Sport website and app will provide live text commentary and video highlights, ensuring every bit of action is captured for all to enjoy.

Why this matters: This event offers a rare opportunity to witness British athletes attempting to break two of the sport's most iconic and long-standing world records on home soil. Success could inspire a new generation of athletes and cement the UK's place at the forefront of global athletics.

What this means for you: What this means for you: You have the chance to watch top-tier athletics, potentially including two historic world record attempts by British stars, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Saturday, offering exciting sporting entertainment.

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