Defending champion Keely Hodgkinson eased into the semifinals of the 800m at the European Indoors Championships on Thursday to give herself a perfectly-timed birthday present.
The British star, who was crowned European outdoor champion over the distance last year and improved the national 800m indoor mark to 1:57.18 over the winter, turns 21 on Friday.
"It will be a nice birthday present to myself if I can defend my title," she told the BBC before adding of the weekend final "I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can do everyone proud."
One down, two to go. ?????
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) March 2, 2023
Reigning champion @keelyhodgkinson eases through her 800m heat in #Istanbul2023. ? pic.twitter.com/6BDvoIbNGZ
Hodgkinson clocked 2:01.67 on Thursday in her heat. The semifinals are on Saturday with the final set for Sunday.
Later Friday, Jakob Ingebrigtsen starts his bid for a 1 500m/3 000m double.
Ingebrigtsen was pipped to outdoor world 1 500m gold by Jake Wightman in Eugene last year, but with the Briton recovering from injury, the Norwegian is a clear favourite for both golds in Istanbul.
The first round of the 1 500m concludes Thursday's action with the final on Friday. The final of the 3000m is set for Sunday evening.