This Week In Track & Field: Audrey Werro Takes Down Keely Hodgkinson Again, Femke Bol Shines Again, Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s Beef With Josh Kerr Still Alive + 2028 Olympic Trials Return To Eugene

Chris and Kyle reunite for a European Championships wrap up that includes the women’s 800m race everyone came to Birmingham for, Jakob’s comments on Josh Kerr, Amy Hunt’s four gold medals, Andreas Almgren’s 10K performance and more.

Discussed in this episode:

– Audrey Werro wins the women’s 800m in 1:54.81 — a 44-year-old championship record: The race everyone wanted. Hodgkinson takes the front after the first bend, Werro goes wide on the back straight and takes the lead at 300m. First lap 56.45, 29.2 through 600, Werro opens the gap off the final turn, Hodgkinson closes half a meter — and that’s it. It is the only two sub-1:54 performances since the 1980s. Keely takes silver in 1:55.01 — also under the old record. No one else was within three seconds. Werro’s season: won all six outdoor races, PB from 1:55.91 to 1:53.80, four of the five fastest times in the world this year.

– The semi controversy: Werro was clipped from behind and fell late in Thursday’s semi, hit the rail, was limping afterward. Officials correctly advanced her to the final. A lot of people argued she got a free semi and that argument is wrong.

– On writing off Keely: That’s an overreaction. She set an indoor world record and an outdoor PB this season. She hasn’t been off a major podium in 12 straight championships.

– The Femke Factor: 1:55.54 for bronze ties Ellen van Langen’s 34-year-old Dutch record from the 1992 Olympic final. She was the only athlete in the field to PB.

– Jakob Ingebrigtsen says athletes skipping championships are “ruining” the sport: Three days after winning the European 5K in his first race in 11 months, Jakob told the BBC he was “very” disappointed Josh Kerr skipped the European Championships. His argument: championships exist so the best athletes compete, it’s not really for athletes to choose where they participate, and not showing up damages the sport.

+ More from European Championships including Georgia Hunter-Bell wins the European 1500m — her third major title of 2026: 4:07.78 in a slow, tactical final, gliding clear. Klaudia Kązmierska silver (4:08.80), Patricia Silva bronze (4:09.22) + Amy Hunt sweeps four golds: 100m, 200m, 4x100m, mixed 4x100m — an unprecedented haul.

– 2028 US Olympic Trials: Hayward Field, June 17-22, six days: USATF confirmed Hayward Field for the sixth straight Trials. The bigger story is the format: six days, no rest days, the shortest Trials since 1964. Every Trials from 1992-2024 ran ten days. Why: SoFi Stadium is hosting both the July 14 opening ceremony and swimming, so LA28 flipped the calendar. Track runs July 15-24.

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. They keep your feet and legs properly aligned after you put in all of those weekly miles. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

OLIPOP: OLIPOP's Citrus Rush packs apple, lemon, lime, and orange juices with 60mg of green tea caffeine for a bold, refreshing blast of flavor ready to fuel your next adventure. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠