Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Georgia Hunter-Bell produced a gutsy, tactical masterclass to win the women’s 800m at the Stockholm Diamond League, clocking 1:57.66 in a thrilling finish.
The British star, known more for her exploits over the 1500m, showed her range and resilience by chasing down Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa in the dying metres of the race.
Moraa led off the final bend but took second with 1:57.83, while Prudence Sekgodiso claimed third in 1:58.00.
Speaking after her dramatic win, Hunter-Bell candidly reflected on her tactical choices:
“I ran that all wrong, making some bad decisions but the whole time I felt good so I knew I had something left,” she admitted.
“I was stuck at the back for a bit too long and then ran on the outside longer than I should have but I did feel really strong and very good.”
The 26-year-old admitted that positioning was key and something she’ll look to improve.
“I tried to find space on the inside that wasn’t there and I ran wide but 800 is all about positioning so I need to work from it,” she added.
Hunter-Bell’s victory in Stockholm is the latest highlight in what’s been an outstanding 2025 season. Earlier in February, she set a personal best of 8:36.96 for 3000m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix before clinching victory in the indoor mile at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York with a lifetime best of 4:23.35.
Her form continued with a successful title defence at the British Indoor Championships in the 1500m, followed by a commendable fourth-place finish at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn. At the World Athletics Indoor Championships in March, Hunter-Bell claimed a memorable bronze in the 1500m, clocking an indoor personal best of 3:59.84, just shy of the British record.
In May, she competed in Philadelphia’s Grand Slam Track, placing fourth in the 1500m and second in the 800m (1:58.94).
This Stockholm triumph signals that Hunter-Bell is not only a major force in the 1500m but increasingly a contender over two laps.