The women’s 800m world record of 1:53.28, set by Czech runner Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983, remains athletics’ longest-standing record and has not been beaten for 43 years. Its durability matters because leading athletes, including Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, are now approaching a mark long considered beyond reach, while the record continues to attract scrutiny over historical doping allegations that Kratochvilova denies.

Swiss runner Audrey Werro came closest this year with 1:53.80, while Hodgkinson recently broke the indoor 800m record in 1:54.87 and Dutch convert Femke Broeders-Bol ran 1:55.60 in June. Former athletes and experts say a stronger competitive field, improved footwear, nutrition, supplements and race-fuelling knowledge have helped raise standards, although Werro remains more than half a second outside the world record.