British middle-distance runner Georgia Bell has shared her belief that athletes can reach their prime in their 30s, following her remarkable transformation into a world-class runner after a seven-year hiatus.
Bell’s journey from a full-time career in cyber security back to elite athletics has been nothing short of inspirational, as she recently finished second in the 800 meters at the Brussels Diamond League final with a time of 1:57.50, behind Kenya’s Mary Moraa, who won the race in a season-best 1:56.56.
Bell, 30, has already enjoyed a standout season. She clinched a bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she shattered the British record with an impressive time of 3:52.61.
In a race dominated by the legendary Faith Kipyegon, who claimed her third consecutive Olympic title, Bell proved that age is no barrier to success.
Having stepped away from the sport in 2017 due to injuries, Bell initially thought her Olympic dreams were over. She quit athletics to pursue a career in cyber security, but her passion for running reignited, and now she is making her mark in middle-distance events.
Reflecting on her recent performances, Bell expressed her newfound belief that athletes can still be at their best in their 30s.
“You always get told that your best years of being an athlete are like your young 20s. I thought that with getting back into running later in life, it would have been impossible to run shorter distances like the 800,” she admitted.
However, Bell has found inspiration in athletes like Faith Kipyegon, who is currently 30 and still in peak form, as well as fellow British middle-distance runners such as Laura Muir and Katie Snowden, who are also in their 30s and continuing to perform at the highest levels.
“Now that I am in it, I really do not think that that is true. If you look at my event, Faith is 30, the top five British athletes in the 1500 meters at British champs were 30 or older, and actually, it is like, you can still have these huge achievements when you get to that age.”
Bell, who only turned professional four months ago, is now focused on pushing her limits even further. With her return to the sport yielding impressive results in such a short time, she is excited about what the future holds.
“It is exciting. I am just looking forward to next year to be honest, ’cause this has only been four months of being a pro, and I am technically on a break from work, so I am just excited for the future.”
Reflecting on her achievements, Bell shared how surreal it felt to be back competing at the highest level. “I have finally now. It took a while. I have watched the race back quite a lot, but I think it has finally sunk in now, and obviously, I am just over the moon.”
