Georgia Hunter Bell to consult with Olympic legend before deciding on Tokyo double

Georgia Hunter-Bell delivered another blistering statement of intent over 800m at the Novuna London Athletics Meet to claim the crown from injured team-mate Keely Hodgkinson.

And the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist says she will now seek advice from Dame Kelly Holmes before deciding whether to take on the shorter distance at September’s World Championships. Hunter Bell, 31, is already qualified for her specialist event thanks to last summer’s Paris success.

But she is beginning to set her sights on the 800m because the route to a medal may be clearer – not least with doubts over the fitness of training partner Hodgkinson.

Hunter Bell has stressed that the ideal is for both to be on the podium in Tokyo but she admitted: “You've obviously got to just look strategically at the events.

READ MORE: Josh Kerr makes big promise after Kenyan teen stuns London Diamond League

READ MORE: The 65p baking ingredient that is being used to rewrite athletics' record books

“The 1500m has gotten even faster than last year. I didn't think that was possible but it has again, whereas the 800m at the moment is not as fast as it was last year. So it's kind of thinking, if you're trying to get a medal, what is actually the best thing to do.”

Asked about the chances of doubling Hunter Bell said she will reach out to Holmes, who won gold in both events in Athens 21 years ago, before the trials in Birmingham on August 2.

“lt is technically an option because the schedule's actually quite generous,” she said. “A lot of people can have their opinion. But there’s very few that have actually done it and done well in both.

“I’d like to see what she has to say about it. I don’t know what is the best thing to do. She’s a bit of a mentor. She particularly reached out after Paris because she got a bronze medal at 30 years old and that was exactly what happened to me.

“Then she went on a four-year stay to do the double gold in Athens. She felt like she wanted to reach out to me and be like, 'Just continue what you're doing. I've literally trodden this path, if you ever need any support.' She's got that relationship with Keely as well. We're lucky to have her.”

Had her hamstring allowed, this was meant to be a glorious homecoming for Hodgkinson. A year ago she brought her own national record down to 1:54.61 before carrying the momentum into that glorious win at Stade de France.

Hodgkinson is back in training and retains hope of being at full strength come September. But in her absence so far this season Hunter Bell has become a marked woman.

Her time of 1:56.74 was half a second off the PB set here when finishing third last year but this was her next best clocking. “I really wanted to get a PB but I’m still really happy with the time,” she added.

Jemma Reekie had done much of the front running only to tie up in the final stages, finishing sixth in 1:58.76, with Laura Muir 10th in a season’s best 2:00.95.