Hunter Bell targeting more gold after 800m Commonwealth victory
Georgia Hunter Bell won the 800m title at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, adding to her world indoor 1500m gold. The 32-year-old has set her sights on further successes this season.
England's Georgia Hunter Bell stormed to victory in the 800m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, finishing more than a second clear of her rivals. It was her first outdoor major title, following her 1500m world indoor crown earlier this year.
Hunter Bell, who trains alongside Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, is now looking ahead to the European Championships next month and the inaugural Ultimate Championships in September. 'There are four opportunities to win gold this year,' she told BBC Sport. 'I am two golds down and two more to go.'
The 32-year-old's career has flourished later in life. After a five-year hiatus, she returned to the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic. She claimed 1500m bronze at the Paris Olympics and silver in the 800m at last year's World Championships.
With Hodgkinson absent from Glasgow, Hunter Bell and Kenya's world champion Lilian Odira were considered the main contenders. Hunter Bell controlled the race from the front and surged clear with 200 metres remaining.
Hodgkinson is resting before the European Championships in Birmingham, which begin on 10 August. Hunter Bell is entered only for the 1500m at those championships, meaning a potential clash with Hodgkinson over 800m will have to wait. Despite that, she believes her Glasgow success justifies competing there and defended the decision of other athletes to skip the event.
