Image source, Getty Images

Watching the women's 800m heats at Alexander Stadium on Tuesday, former Olympic and world long jump champion Greg Rutherford told BBC TV: "What I found fascinating about all three of the big names out there [Keely Hodgkinson, Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol] was that they made it look so much easier than the rest of the field.

"It's so easy for them, it is remarkable to see. It sets it up for such a good race going forward."

Keely Hodgkinson is searching for a third successive European gold in the women's 800m after claiming the title in Munich in 2022 and again in Rome, two years later.

The 24-year-old from Atherton, in Greater Manchester, also has two Olympic medals at the distance - gold at Paris 2024 and silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 - and has two 800m silver and a bronze at the World Championships.

Local hero Matthew Hudson-Smith became the latest British athlete to win gold at the European Championships in Birmingham on Wednesday night, topping the podium in the men's 400m.

He followed a 100m double for GB, with Romell Glave storming to victory in the men's event and Amy Hunt powering to the women's title.

Defending champion Keely Hodgkinson and experienced Scot Jemma Reekie will be hoping to join them by winning gold in the women's 800m.

Join us as we follow their progress in the 800m semi-finals this lunchtime.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport reporter

Keely Hodgkinson and expected gold medal rivals Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol remain on course for their highly anticipated showdown after safely reaching Thursday's women's 800m semi-finals at the European Athletics Championships.

Olympic champion Hodgkinson, winner of the past two European titles, controlled her heat throughout to win in one minute 57.28 seconds - the fastest time across the four heats on Tuesday morning.

Swiss athlete Werro, who stunned Hodgkinson by running the fastest time for 43 years to beat the Briton earlier this season, appeared equally comfortable as she won her race in 1:57.83.

There were no issues either for Femke Broeders-Bol. The fast-improving Dutch two-time world 400m hurdles champion, who chose to switch events this season, crossed the line first in 1:59.96.

I don't know about you but I am sweating just typing this.

Completing a lung-busting 800m - two laps around an Alexander Stadium bathed in bright sunshine - is not at the top of my to-do list.

But that is what is facing Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie and their competitors.

This is what they train for...

It's sunnypublished at 11:51 BST 13 August

11:51 BST 13 August

It's looking like a hot one out there today, reaching up to 35C!

Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh has the right idea, ice pack on top of her head.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Great Britain's Jemma Reekie goes in the first of two women's 800m semi-finals (12:10 BST), alongside Switzerland's Audrey Werro and French record holder Anais Bourgoin.

GB's defending champion Keely Hodgkinson is in the second semi-final. Her closest competition is expected to come from Netherlands athlete Femke Broeders-Bol, following her successful recent step up in distance from the 400m hurdles.

The first three in each semi-final, and the next two fastest will qualify for Friday's final.

Qualifying for the men's 3,000m steeplechase is on now - watch live BBC One coverage using the play icon at the top of this page.

Next up is this lunchtime's main event - the women's 800m semi-finals.

Shall we?

• Men's 110m hurdles - decathlon (10:33)
• Women's high jump - A & B qualifiers (10:55)
• Men's 200m - round one (11:05)
• Men's discus - decathlon - group A (11:20)
• Men's 3,000m steeplechase - round one (11:30)
• Women's 800m - semi-finals (12:10 & 12:19) - GB's Keely Hodgkinson in second semi-final, Jemma Reekie in first
• Men's discus - decathlon - group B (12:30)

• Women's 400m - semi-finals (12:45)
• Men's pole vault - decathlon - group A (13:00)
• Men's pole vault - decathlon - group B (13:45)
• Men's javelin - A qualifier (13:48)
• Men's javelin - B qualifier (15:10)