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Why is the women's 800m record so tough to break?

Why is the women's 800m record so tough to break?

The world record for the women's 800m is the longest standing in athletics. No-one has managed to break it for 43 years. Why is it such a tough task?

August 12, 2026 at 06:13 AM Original source
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Notable Quotes

"Believe you me, that time of 1:53.28 is astonishing."

— Jenny Meadows , Athlete

"They're all dragging each other to these incredible times."

— Jessica Ennis-Hill , Athlete

"Everyone is going faster than they used to be because the shoe technology is so much better."

— Andrew Jones , Other

"All it takes is one person to raise the bar and you think more things are possible."

— Keely Hodgkinson , Athlete

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Why is the women's 800m record so tough to break?
BBC Newsvia rss 4 quotes 4 persons

The world record for the women's 800m is the longest standing in athletics. No-one has managed to break it for 43 years. Why is it such a tough task?

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