Hunter Bell eyes ambitious sweep after 800m gold in Glasgow
Georgia Hunter Bell is targeting an ambitious sweep of gold medals in 2026 after securing the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Georgia Hunter Bell won the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow with a time of one minute 59.51 seconds.
- The 32-year-old athlete aims to secure four gold medals this year and has already claimed two.
- She is a training partner of Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.
- Hunter Bell returned to the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic after taking a five-year break.
British track star Georgia Hunter Bell is setting her sights on an ambitious sweep of gold medals in 2026 after dominating the field to win the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow. Crossing the finish line in a time of one minute 59.51 seconds, Hunter Bell added this latest triumph to the 1500m world indoor title she successfully captured earlier this year in Poland, further cementing her status among the sport's elite.
The 32-year-old runner, who trains alongside Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, is scheduled to compete at next month's European Championships as well as the inaugural Ultimate Championships taking place in September. Speaking about her heavy and rewarding schedule, Hunter Bell told BBC Sport that there are four distinct opportunities to secure gold this year, noting that she is currently two golds down with two more targets remaining.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Hunter Bell's career trajectory is particularly remarkable given that she stepped away from competitive athletics for five full years before making her comeback during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since returning to the track, she claimed a bronze medal in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics and followed it up by pipping training partner Hodgkinson to silver in the 800m at last year's World Championships. However, her victory in Glasgow marks the very first outdoor title of her career in the exact event where Hodgkinson currently holds the Olympic crown.
"Every medal is a landmark moment but my first outdoor gold is huge."
The career resurgence of athletes like Hunter Bell well into their thirties highlights modern advancements in sports science, physical conditioning, and recovery protocols that allow runners to extend their peak performance windows. Furthermore, maintaining a training environment alongside top-tier competitors like Keely Hodgkinson creates a mutual sharpening effect, pushing both athletes to achieve peak physical condition and tactical excellence.
With Hodgkinson opting to skip the Commonwealth Games, Hunter Bell and Kenya's world champion Lilian Odira entered the final as clear favorites. The race itself offered little contest as Hunter Bell dictated the early pace before executing a decisive kick with 200m left to race, winning the gold by a margin of more than a second. Hodgkinson chose to take a scheduled break ahead of the European Championships in Birmingham, which are set to begin on August 10.
Although Hunter Bell will only contest the 1500m at the upcoming European event—thus avoiding a direct clash against her compatriot—she made the most of her opportunity in Glasgow. While she acknowledged that the victory validates her trip to Scotland, she also defended high-profile English athletes like Dina Asher-Smith, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and Matt Hudson-Smith who chose to withdraw from the competition, emphasizing that every athlete faces unique physical circumstances.
Source: BBC Sport
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