Keely Hodgkinson’s triumph at SPOTY represents the culmination of an extraordinary year.

Financial experts indicate that she is on the verge of a considerable financial uplift – potentially propelling her annual earnings to the £1MILLION mark.

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As she approached the Paris Olympics, expectations were high for her as she was favored to secure gold in the 800m event.

However, Hodgkinson, at merely 22 years old, handled the pressure admirably, managing to deliver an impressive performance in 116 seconds across two laps at the Stade de France.

Now, she has the opportunity to harness her newly acquired fame from the BBC‘s SPOTY award to secure her financial future in the upcoming years.

Dr. Dan Plumley, a sports finance expert at Sheffield Hallam University, shared with casino.co.uk: “Winning the SPOTY award will undoubtedly enhance her public persona and prestige.

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“She’s rapidly becoming one of the most recognized faces in UK Athletics.

“Her achievements can pave the way for off-track collaborations and endorsements, thanks to strong relationships with brands and marketing agencies.

“Extra earnings from off-field ventures are vital for an athlete’s financial stability.

“It’s common for athletes to pursue sponsorships and business opportunities to boost their earnings.

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“Her performance and success on the track will significantly impact her future endeavors,” he added.

“There’s no doubt that sponsorships will continue to come in.”

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson enjoys the atmosphere with Man Utd fans at Old Trafford

Last summer, Hodgkinson captivated the entire nation.

Expectations were elevated that she, the world’s leading 800-meter runner, would triumph on the evening of August 5, and she certainly delivered.

Her bright smile and engaging personality are the main reasons this young athlete from the Greater Manchester town of Atherton, who currently resides in Salford, was honored with the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

This is the fourth consecutive year that a woman has captured this notable award – following tennis star Emma Raducanu along with footballers Beth Mead and Mary Earps – thus setting a new precedent.

It marks the 19th time in 60 years that an athlete from track-and-field has won the main SPOTY award, leading all other sports.

Notable previous winners include legendary athletes like Steve Ovett, Seb Coe, Daley Thompson, Kelly Holmes, and Mo Farah.

This underlines the fact that even if some high-profile athletes avoid the media spotlight and the sport battles ongoing financial hurdles, public interest in elite athletics remains robust.

Nowadays, Hodgkinson is familiar with winning the events she enters, although it wasn’t always so.

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Prior to this past summer, the middle-distance prodigy had settled for silver at THREE major championships – including the 2021 Olympics and the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.

Facing defeat by mere seconds each time deeply affected her.

Fears of her remaining the perennial second-place finisher were put to rest as she entered the Games with a personal best of 1:54.61 set in London in July – the sixth-fastest time in history.

Her flawless performance on the track in 2024 marked a crucial milestone – “the first time in a year where I’ve genuinely achieved everything” – a feat that athletes seldom encounter more than once or twice throughout their careers.

Yet, just a year ago, she was sidelined for NINE WEEKS during the Christmas and New Year period due to a severe knee injury.

This injury resulted from an unusual accident that caused a torn ligament, damaged tendon, and some hamstring injury near the knee.

Though eager to return to training swiftly, it was her trust in coach Trevor Painter that allowed her to rest, recover, and ultimately make a successful comeback to competition.