Keely Hodgkinson delivered a commanding performance in the final race of her 2026 campaign, seizing the 800‑metre title at the Athlos meet in London while unveiling a brand‑new, full‑length hooded speed suit. The 24‑year‑old British middle‑distance star has endured a challenging spell over the past two months, battling both illness and injury.
Earlier this week she disclosed that an MRI scan had identified an "abnormality" in her hamstring, a finding that has added a layer of uncertainty to her preparation. Despite these setbacks, Hodgkinson remained a focal point of the women's 800m narrative, a race that has become a three‑way showdown among herself, Switzerland’s rising star Audrey Werro, and the Netherlands’ Femke Bol. The trio have been pushing each other toward the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28, a mark that has stood untouched for 43 years. While Werro and Bol were absent from the StoneX Stadium on Friday, Hodgkinson capitalised on the open field, cruising to the finish line in 1:56.40 and successfully defending her Athlos crown.
Athlos, an all‑women’s athletics showcase, was launched in 2023 by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams. The event aims to spotlight female athletes and celebrate the blend of sport, fashion, and culture. Hodgkinson’s appearance in the hooded suit perfectly encapsulated that mission.
"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 said after the race. The suit itself is the product of an extensive development process with Nike’s innovation team.
Hodgkinson described the experience as "a year in the making," involving numerous adjustments and fittings. She highlighted the combination of fashion, speed, and science, suggesting the garment could represent a glimpse of the future of athletics. "It was a real honour for them to choose me to put this out first. 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 added. Visually, the outfit evoked memories of Australian sprint legend Cathy Freeman, who famously won the women’s 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in a striking ensemble. Hodgkinson believes her suit complies with all regulations and noted that she had already trained in it during a heat‑wave session 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’ and that mental‑physical balance matters," she explained. When asked whether she might wear the suit at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted at the possibility, noting that athletes often have access to information not widely known. "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 said. She also expressed admiration for Freeman’s legacy, despite having never met her. "She was born before I was, but I’ve 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 praised the suit’s comfort. "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 remarked. Hodgkinson’s season has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations.
Earlier in February she shattered the indoor world record for the women’s 800m, raising expectations that she could also target the outdoor record set by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983. That mark remains controversial due to allegations of state‑sponsored doping in the era, claims that Kratochvílová has consistently denied. The Swiss prodigy Werro has overtaken Hodgkinson in the competitive hierarchy this year, defeating her at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships. Hodgkinson missed the final two Diamond League meetings after sustaining a hamstring tear at the European Championships in Birmingham, though she continued to 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 emphasized that the split‑tendon anatomy allows her to keep running, albeit with modifications to her training. "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 work, because that’s when it’s most risky," she said. Looking ahead, Hodgkinson remains optimistic. The successful debut of the hooded speed suit not only provided a visual spectacle but also signalled her resilience and willingness to innovate.
As she continues to manage her unique physiology and recover from recent injuries, fans and rivals alike will be watching closely to see whether she can reclaim the top spot in the 800m and perhaps rewrite the record books in the years to come.