Keely Hodgkinson delivered a commanding performance in the final race of her 2026 campaign, taking first place in the 800‑metre event at Athlos in London while unveiling a brand‑new, full‑length hooded speed suit. The 24‑year‑old British middle‑distance star had endured a challenging two‑month stretch marked by illness and injury, and earlier this week an MRI scan revealed an "abnormality" in her hamstring, raising concerns about her physical condition. Despite those setbacks, Hodgkinson managed to stay ahead of the emerging Swiss talent Audrey Werro, who has overtaken her in the women's 800 m rankings this year. The rivalry among Werro, Hodgkinson and Dutch runner Femke Bol has turned the distance into a headline‑grabbing contest, with all three athletes inching toward the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28—a mark that has stood for 43 years.
On the evening of the race, neither Werro nor Bol were present at StoneX Stadium, allowing Hodgkinson to cruise to a winning time of 1:56.40 and successfully defend her Athlos title. Athlos is a women‑only athletics meet that debuted in 2023, founded by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams. The event aims to celebrate female athletes and provide a platform for innovation and style in track and field. Hodgkinson expressed her excitement about the experience, saying, "I’m honoured they let me put this on show.
I was a little nervous walking out. The shades helped me block out the noise, but it was really fun and it’s something I’ll remember forever." She went on to describe the development process for the suit, noting that it had been a year‑long collaboration with Nike’s innovation team. "Honestly this has been like a year in the making with all the adjustments and fittings. It was a really fun process with the Nike innovation team.
I think it’s a mixture of fashion, speed and science all coming together, for maybe the future of athletics potentially," Hodgkinson explained. The athlete added that being chosen as the first wearer felt like a privilege, especially given the event’s focus on glamour and visibility for women.
"We weren’t sure when we were going to wear it, but in hindsight an all‑women’s event, which is all about the glitz and glamour and putting eyes on women, a bit of a moment was the perfect way to finish the season. So it’s really exciting," she said.
The design of the suit drew immediate comparisons to the iconic outfit worn by Australian sprint legend Cathy Freeman when she claimed gold in the 400 m at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Hodgkinson believes the suit complies with all regulations and revealed that she had already tested it during a training camp in South Africa, where temperatures neared 40 °C. "The science was like technically with the air drag you’re slower with your hair out, but I was like, ‘that’s a non‑negotiable. My hair is staying out.’ I’m very much ‘look good, feel good’ – that mental and physical balance matters," she noted.
When asked about the prospect of wearing the hooded suit at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted at future possibilities: "We might know some things that people don’t! It was a test out there. This is not something we haven’t seen before.
Like Cathy Freeman and some other athletes from a while ago did something like this, and this is the updated new version, with the new technology." She reflected on Freeman’s influence, saying, "She was before I was born, but I have seen the race and photos. It was really cool to draw inspiration from the past and make it your own as well. The style was a big thing for me." Beyond aesthetics, Hodgkinson emphasized comfort and a sense of freedom while wearing the suit. "I wanted to be comfortable but I wanted to feel a little bit sexy, the back’s open and that makes it feel really cool so I’m not hot at all.
It feels like I’m wearing nothing, to be honest," she laughed. Earlier in the season, Hodgkinson shattered the indoor 800 m world record in February, fueling hopes that she could also break the outdoor record set by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983. That mark remains controversial because of lingering allegations of state‑sponsored doping in the former Eastern Bloc, claims that Kratochvílová herself has denied. Nonetheless, Hodgkinson’s ambition to rewrite the record books persists.
The Swiss star Werro, however, has taken a leading role this year, defeating Hodgkinson at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships. Hodgkinson missed the final two Diamond League meetings after sustaining a hamstring tear during the European Championships in Birmingham, though she continued to finish the race despite the injury. "My body is quite literally built differently. Where most people have one tendon, mine is split – I have two – and we’re trying to figure out if it’s a strength or a weakness," Hodgkinson explained.
"So when one of them tore, I still had another one because it’s split. In Birmingham, it didn’t affect me during the race, but I could feel something wasn’t quite right." She described the unique anatomy as both a blessing and a challenge. "It’s a weird one. You can still run on them.
I haven’t missed any training the last three weeks. But I’ve just had to alter my approach.
I’ve had to take my foot off the speed training, because that’s when it’s most risky," Hodgkinson said, indicating that she has been modifying her regimen to protect the vulnerable tendon while maintaining fitness. In summary, Keely Hodgkinson’s season‑ending triumph at Athlos not only added another victory to her résumé but also highlighted a bold step forward in athletic apparel.
By merging cutting‑edge technology, fashion sensibility, and personal expression, the hooded speed suit may signal a new era for track athletes seeking both performance gains and visual impact. As Hodgkinson looks ahead to future championships and possibly the 2028 Olympic Games, she remains focused on recovery, refinement of her training, and the pursuit of that elusive world‑record time in the 800 m.