"Hunter Bell faces double challenge after London Diamond League 800m victory"

A Dilemma for a Rising Star After Unexpected Success Over 800m

What does a 1500m specialist do when they keep winning over 800m? Seek advice, naturally. Georgia Hunter Bell, who capped her breakthrough season with an Olympic 1500m bronze in Paris last summer, seemed destined to stay in her established event. But she has since shifted focus, securing back-to-back Diamond League victories in the 800m—first in Stockholm and now in London.

This success has left her with a difficult choice ahead of the upcoming world championships in Tokyo. Should she remain in the 1500m, pivot to the shorter distance, or attempt the increasingly rare double—competing in both events?

Fortunately, she knows who to ask. "I might reach out to Kelly Holmes and see what she suggests," Hunter Bell said.

Holmes, who famously achieved the 800m and 1500m double at the 2004 Olympics, reached out to Hunter Bell after Paris. Their connection has since grown, with Holmes offering guidance. Following her latest win—clocking 1:56.74, her second-fastest time ever—Hunter Bell is eager to hear Holmes’ perspective.

"The double is an option because the schedule allows it," she said. "There’s enough recovery time between events. But it’s incredibly tough, and you risk compromising both. Not many have done it, so I’d value Kelly’s input."

Another consideration is the current state of both events. Without her usual training partner, Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson—who is recovering from injury—800m performances have slowed. Meanwhile, the 1500m field has gotten even faster.

"You have to think strategically," Hunter Bell noted. "The 1500m has improved again, which I didn’t think possible, while the 800m has regressed slightly. If you’re chasing a medal, what’s the smartest move?"

In another race, the men’s 1500m, expectations of a British duel vanished as 18-year-old Kenyan Phanuel Koech stunned the crowd, overtaking world champion Josh Kerr in the final stretch to win in 3:28.82—a meet record. Kerr finished second in 3:29.37, while Jake Wightman placed fourth. George Mills fell in the final 200m.