News Update: Keely Hodgkinson clinches magical women’s 800m GOLD – as Team GB star lives up to favourite tag to beat Kenyan rival Mary Moraa…

Keely Hodgkinson says she has cemented herself in history after she joined the list of British golden girls by storming to Olympic 800 metres glory.

The 22-year-old produced a dominant performance in Paris to end her wait for a first global title following silvers at the last Games and previous two World Championships.

Hodgkinson is only the 10th British woman to win an athletics gold medal at the Olympics – and the first since Jessica Ennis-Hill in 2012.

She is also just the third Brit to win the women’s 800m title, emulating Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Ann Packer in 1964.

‘It is crazy to be a part of that list,’ admitted Hodgkinson. ‘Jess was a big inspiration. She got me back into athletics all of those years ago.

To join her and other legends like Kelly, to share these moments with these people and to cement myself in history, is really, really special. The Kellys and the Keelys coming together. It feels amazing.’

Pre-race favourite Hodgkinson powered away from the rest of the field to cross the line at the Stade de France in 1min 56.72sec, comfortably clear of Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, who was 0.43sec behind the Team GB poster girl.

Kenyan Mary Moraa, who stunned Hodgkinson at last summer’s World Championships, was third.

‘I’ve worked so hard for this over the last year,’ added Hodgkinson. ‘I think you could see how much it meant to me when I crossed the line. I can’t believe I’ve finally done it.

‘I could feel Mary pushing me on the back straight, but I had composure and got to the line first this time. I’m now the Olympic champion and no one can take that away from me. I’m just super happy I could bring it home.’

Asked if the gold medal would change her life, the Atherton athlete added: ‘I think so. I don’t know what it will bring but I’m better prepared than I was after Tokyo. A couple of years older, a bit blonder. We’re good.’

On Tuesday night, Josh Kerr will look to claim Team GB’s second gold medal on the track in the men’s 1500m final, when he takes on his rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the defending champion.

Britain also have interest in the women’s 200m final after Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita both made it through their semi-finals. ‘I am definitely a contender,’ insisted Neita.

In the men’s 200m, Zharnel Hughes withdrew from Monday night’s heats due to ‘hamstring tightness’.

Meanwhile, Swedish superstar Mondo Duplantis retained his pole vault title as he broke his own world record with a jump of 6.25m.