Such is the privileged position Georgia Hunter-Bell surprisingly finds herself in this season, the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist is at present unsure whether to target a medal in either the 800m or metric mile event – or both – in September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo; which has in turn guided her decision to contest the shorter distance at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham this weekend (August 2-3) to ensure she is selectable for both events in Japan.

The 31-year-old Belgrave Harrier has enjoyed two eye-catching Diamond League victories this summer over two laps in Stockholm and London, in addition to a swift 3:54.76 1500m in Eugene – creating an enviable problem on deciding which discipline presents the best opportunity for a piece of global silverware.

“It’s a good problem to have – the 1500m is such a crazy event right now with some super fast times and so the 800m is looking the weaker event this season – thankfully, the Tokyo timetable allows the opportunity to double up if I decide to,” Hunter-Bell explained.

“I want to make sure I medal or ideally improve on the bronze (from the Paris Olympics in 2024). It’s a big risk if I decide to do both as I could mess up both of my chances by doing too much – the 1500m’s up first and you could run 3:51 and only finish fifth.”

Guided by Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows in Manchester and training partner to Olympic 800m champion, Keely Hodgkinson, Hunter-Bell continued:

“This season has been good – the first few 1500m’s were a shock to the system and felt quite uncomfortable but Pre (Eugene) was really good,”

“I’ve been responding really well to the 800m training, seeing big changes there and the 800m races have gone very well. I feel positive and excited – I’m counting my blessings for being healthy.”

And all being well after sealing the intended double event selection after Birmingham, she will contest the 1500m in the Silesia Diamond League, followed by the 800m in the Lausanne Diamond League before making her final decision on the intended Tokyo exploits.

By her own admission, Hunter-Bell’s 2025 campaign got off to a rocky start with a frustrating fourth-place 1500m finish at the European indoor Championships in Appledorn in March, but she bounced back to claim world indoor 1500m bronze in Nanjing that same month and important lessons were learned:

“I was so happy with the bronze as it was a big shame I wasn’t at my best in Appledorn, I shouldn’t have changed my usual tactics so I’ve stuck to the usual formula since, it’s all forgotten now,” the European outdoor 1500m silver medallist revealed.

A prime example of racing to her strengths was witnessed at the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the Wanda Diamond League series last weekend, where Hunter-Bell effortlessly glided past the field in the final hundred meters to an emphatic 1:56.74 victory – close to her 1:56.28 lifetime best set behind Hodgkinson in the British capital twelve months prior:

“London was fun and I was so glad to get the win, though I was a bit disappointed I didn’t run a bit quicker, as I know I have a big time in me,” said Hunter-Bell.

“I was hoping it would be a similar race to last year when Keely dragged me to a time but this time, it was a tactical race rather than a time trial so it was still great to run my second-fastest time ever.”

With her eyes now firmly fixed on securing Tokyo selection for the 800m in Birmingham, the 2024 1500m British Championships winner and two-time national indoor gold-medallist is looking forward to experiencing the new Alexander Stadium:

“I’ve not raced at the Alexander Stadium for years – I went to university in Birmingham so actually trained there for a while in the old stadium but I’m looking forward to running in a championship stadium,” explained Hunter-Bell.

“And in 2016, I want to go one better than last year by taking the European gold medal there – a home Championships will be brilliant.”

On the task at hand this weekend, she continued:

“It’s never easy to qualify as it’s always difficult to make the British team – these championships can be scarier than the big races as it’s a lot more expectation on myself. The 800m rounds are hard – the 1500m heats are more generous as there are more qualifying spots for the final, so it is a bit nervy with the likes of Jemma Reekie and Laura Muir.”

Having cemented her outstanding breakthrough year with a glittering 3:52.61 British 1500m record in the Olympic arena in the French capital last summer, Hunter-Bell is well aware of the importance of the home nation Championships providing a springboard to international success:

“Last year, the British champs was the biggest race of my life as it was to determine whether I was going to be an Olympian or not, so there was a lot on the line – it was a very historic moment in my career,” she revealed.

The Novuna UK Athletics Championships heads to the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham between 2-3 August as the nation’s best athletes battle for national titles and spots on the team for this year’s World Athletics Championships. Expect world-class performances, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Tickets are on sale now from £20 adults / £10 under-16s. Don’t miss it!