Toone reacts to friend's Olympic glory
As 19-year-old Keely Hodgkinson smashed Kelly Holmes’ 800m British record to take the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, one Manchester United player in particular was eagerly watching on.
Hodgkinson’s headline-making sprint at the Olympic Stadium will have delighted Ella Toone, our 21-year-old winger who herself represented Great Britain at the Games over the last fortnight.
The young pair are good friends, having attended Fred Longworth High School together in Tydesley, Greater Manchester.
From Leigh Sports Village to the Tokyo Olympic Village! Good luck in your final race. ‘Home’ is proud of you❤️ pic.twitter.com/vsjcX4CqKY
— Ella Toone (@ellatoone99) August 2, 2021
Ella was initially a reserve for Team GB's women's football group but after FIFA and the IOC agreed to expand the squads, our number 7 was given her chance to reach for glory in the Games.
Toone made only one appearance but can now call herself an Olympian and said she had made “memories to last a lifetime” even after Hege Riise’s side were knocked out at the quarter-final stage.
Hodgkinson, meanwhile, was one of three British runners to make the final of the women’s 800m and astounded viewers with a record-breaking run as she smashed not only her own personal best but Holmes’ long-standing national record.
Toone: It was an honour to be an Olympian
ArticleUnited Women winger Ella Toone has been reflecting on her Tokyo 2020 experiences via Instagram.
For two childhood friends from the same school to both proudly represent Great Britain at the same Olympics is a wonderful achievement.
Toone gave her reaction to Keely’s silver medal on Twitter immediately after the race.
❤️😁 !!!! https://t.co/B4Qsvz3Gpe
— Ella Toone (@ellatoone99) August 3, 2021