AW Magazine

9 February 2023

The focus of the latest issue of AW, out February 9, is a wide-ranging interview with British 800m runner Keely Hodgkinson. She speaks about dealing with how her life has changed since bursting on to the elite scene by winning Olympic silver, then coping with injury and coming an agonisingly close second at the Oregon World Championships. She believes, however, that going through such turbulence could help her create the perfect storm on the track in 2023. Another athlete whose world has been turned upside down in the past couple of years is Neeraj Chopra. From the moment he struck javelin gold at the Tokyo Olympics, the 25-year-old became a megastar in his home country of India and his success is inspiring a number of his compatriots to dream big in track and field. He talks about inspiring that next generation and how he intends to raise his profile further still. Away from the track, the first major showpiece of the year – the World Cross Country Championships – returns for its first staging since 2019 and this issue contains an in-depth preview to Bathurst 2023. Two-time world cross medallist Tim Hutchings believes the event remains a vital part of the calendar, but questions if holding it in the middle of the Australian summer is good for its’ long-term health. Hannah Borenstein also provides some insight into why Ethiopia places such importance on cross country, while Olli Hoare outlines why he is hoping the championships offer Australia a reminder of the talent at the nation’s disposal and Steve Smythe selects some of the great off-road performances through history. The debate around transgender inclusion has come to the fore once again, too, and columnist Katharine Merry gives her views. There are also interviews with former European 800m champion Lynsey Sharp, who has battled her way back on to the track after the birth of her son, as well as breakthrough sprinter Jeremiah Azu. There is also, as ever, a performance section which is crammed full of expert advice and insight, plus all of our regular features such as My Greatest Race (with former Olympic and world 100m champion Maurice Greene) and Ask the Athlete (with British sprinter Richard Kilty).