ATHERTON athlete Keely Hodgkinson has taken home yet another 800m medal while setting the world's fastest pace in the women's category.

In the lead-up to the Athletics World Championships in August, competitors had the chance to lay down a marker at the Diamond League event in Euguene, Oregon, over the weekend.

Building on her previous successes - which include a European indoor gold, a British title, and an Olympic silver medal - Keely took home another gold medal at the race on Saturday, May 28.

Setting the fastest time this race season, the lightning 20-year-old ran the 800m in 1:57:72.

Due to a bout of coronavirus, Keely was unable to go head-to-head with American Athing Mu, to who she narrowly lost the 2020 Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Speaking to the BBC prior to the event, Keely spoke of setting herself high targets in order to maintain her success.

She said: “Last year was my first year on the Diamond League circuit racing senior girls and there were a few fourths and fifths in there"

“Running that one minute 55 seconds and winning Olympic silver, I should be expecting more of myself.”

"[The race] is pretty much a world final, a nice early-season world final, but I think it is going to be a lot of fun, I am looking forward to it."