Tokyo Olympics: Alexandra Bell proves her point with personal best in 800m final

ALEXANDRA Bell revelled in making her point on the biggest stage of them all, producing a personal best in the Olympic 800m final.
By Tom Harle
Published 3rd Aug 2021, 17:00 BST
Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain competes in the Women's 800m Semi-Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain competes in the Women's 800m Semi-Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain competes in the Women's 800m Semi-Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Cameras were fixed on gold medallist Athing Mu and Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson winning silver but behind them the Leeds star produced a lifetime best of 1:57.66.

Bell has made clear her anger at never being accepted to the UK Athletics world-class programme and in producing a truly world-class performance, spoke louder than words ever could.

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“I’ve proven people wrong tonight but most important I’ve proven myself right,” said the 28-year-old.

Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson is congratulated by Alex Bell after winning silver (Picture: PA)Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson is congratulated by Alex Bell after winning silver (Picture: PA)
Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson is congratulated by Alex Bell after winning silver (Picture: PA)

“I think that’s the main thing I need to take away from this, I knew all along what I was capable of, it’s just a shame that a lot of other people couldn’t see that as well.”

On the prospect of gaining funding on the back of the display: “I have no expectations anymore.

“I’ve come so far relying on myself, I’ve literally got this far relying on myself, I’ve got nothing to say on that matter anymore.”

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The Yorkshire star looked to be losing ground on the back straight but produced a strong final surge.

Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain reacts after competing in the Women's 800m Final at the Tokyo Olympics. (Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain reacts after competing in the Women's 800m Final at the Tokyo Olympics. (Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Alexandra Bell of Team Great Britain reacts after competing in the Women's 800m Final at the Tokyo Olympics. (Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“When I was running I had no idea about the splits or the times,” said Bell.

“After the first 200m I was out the back door and I thought the legs had come off already, so when I crossed the line and I saw the actual time flash up on the board, I was so surprised.”

No one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise £36m each week. Discover more about how playing The National Lottery supports Team GB’s athletes by visiting www.national-lottery.co.uk/tokyo2020 #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen

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