On the eve of the World Championships in Tokyo, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe delivered glowing praise for two rising stars of the sport.

Coe, a two-time Olympic champion and former 800m world record holder, believes Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson has the potential to finish her career among the greatest athletes of all time. He also described 17-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout as “the real deal.”

Hodgkinson’s resilience and return

Hodgkinson, 23, has already won Olympic gold in Paris but faced a long spell on the sidelines with hamstring and back injuries. Her comeback this summer stunned the athletics world when she ran 1:54 in Silesia, followed by 1:55 in Lausanne just days later.

“You have to marvel at how she has come back,” Coe said. “She is mahogany hard, mentally strong, and absolutely committed to ending her career at the very top.”

Coe credited Hodgkinson’s coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, for carefully guiding her recovery. He also noted the importance of her back-to-back races as a test of fitness before the intensity of the Tokyo championships.

Key Points:

• Keely Hodgkinson ran 1:54 in her first race back after more than a year out.

• Sebastian Coe calls her “mentally mahogany hard” and capable of becoming one of Britain’s greatest athletes.

• Gout Gout, just 17, has clocked 9.98 (wind-assisted) in the 100m and 19.84 in the 200m.

• Coe says the challenge for Gout is managing his development into the senior ranks.

Gout Gout’s rising profile

While Hodgkinson’s credentials are already established, Gout Gout is only beginning his journey. The teenager has produced eye-catching times, including a 9.98-second 100m with a strong tailwind and a 19.84-second 200m.

“At 17, I was just about qualifying for county races,” Coe admitted. “He’s very level-headed, has a strong support team, and he isn’t being pushed too quickly. He is clearly the real deal.”

Coe cautioned against placing medal expectations on Gout so early, stressing that the next few years will be crucial in ensuring his smooth transition into the senior ranks.

Preparing for Tokyo

Away from individual athletes, Coe also addressed the logistical challenge of hosting the championships, noting that World Athletics has meteorological teams monitoring for any potential typhoon disruptions.

For Hodgkinson, Tokyo offers the chance to strengthen her reputation as the best 800m runner in the world. For Gout Gout, it will be about gaining experience on the global stage.

Both, however, have already caught the eye of one of the sport’s greatest champions.