Keely Hodgkinson closed out her 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion, taking first place in the women's 800 metres 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 turbulent few months, battling both illness and a nagging injury. Earlier this week she disclosed that an MRI scan had identified an "abnormality" in her hamstring, a finding that has added an extra layer of intrigue to her recent performances. Despite these setbacks, Hodgkinson remains a key figure in a thrilling three‑way rivalry that has captured the imagination of athletics fans worldwide.
Switzerland's rising talent Audrey Werro and the Netherlands' Femke Bol have both been pushing the limits of the event, and together with Hodgkinson they are edging ever closer to the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28, a time set 43 years ago. While Werro and Bol were absent from the StoneX Stadium on Friday, Hodgkinson seized the opportunity to secure a comfortable win in 1:56.40, successfully defending the Athlos title she claimed the previous year. Athlos itself is a women‑only competition that debuted last year, founded by Reddit co‑creator Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams. The event aims to showcase female athletes in a high‑profile setting, blending sport with entertainment and fashion.
Hodgkinson's appearance in the innovative suit perfectly encapsulated that mission. "I felt honoured to be the first to wear it on stage. I was a little nervous walking out, but the hood helped block out the noise and let me focus," Hodgkinson explained after the race.
"It’s been a year in the making – countless adjustments and fittings with the Nike innovation team. The result feels like a marriage of fashion, speed and science, and could point toward the future of track apparel." She added, "Being chosen to debut it at an all‑women’s event, which celebrates glamour and puts the spotlight on female athletes, was the perfect way to end the season. It’s a moment I’ll never forget." The design of the suit drew immediate comparisons to the iconic outfit worn by Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman when she won the 400 metres at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Hodgkinson confirmed that the 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.
"From a physics standpoint, a loose ponytail creates more drag, so I decided to keep my hair out of the way – it’s non‑negotiable for me. I’m a firm believer that looking good and feeling good are intertwined, and that mental‑physical balance translates to performance on the track," she said. When asked whether the hooded kit might appear at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted that the sport’s governing bodies may soon learn more about the technology. "We might know some things that people don’t yet," she smiled.
"This isn’t entirely new – athletes like Cathy Freeman experimented with similar concepts decades ago. This is the modern, tech‑enhanced version." She reflected on Freeman’s influence, noting that although Freeman competed before Hodgkinson was born, the images and footage of that historic race have inspired her.
"The style mattered to me. I wanted to feel comfortable, a little sexy, and the open‑back design keeps me cool. It almost feels like I’m wearing nothing at all." Hodgkinson’s ambitions extend beyond the season finale. After shattering the indoor 800 m world record in February, she has set her sights on the outdoor mark held by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová since 1983.
That record remains controversial because of lingering allegations of state‑sponsored doping in Kratochvílová’s era, claims the former champion has consistently denied. This year, the British star has been overtaken in the European rankings by Werro, who bested her at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships. A hamstring tear sustained during the European Championships in Birmingham forced Hodgkinson to miss the final two Diamond League meetings, though she continued to compete despite the injury. "My body is literally built differently.
Most athletes have a single tendon, but I have two, split down the middle. We’re still figuring out whether that’s a strength or a weakness," Hodgkinson explained.
"When one side tore, the other remained intact, so I could still finish the race, though I felt something was off." She emphasized that the split‑tendon anatomy allows her to keep training, albeit with modifications. "I haven’t missed any training in the past three weeks, but I’ve had to change my approach.
I’ve reduced speed work because that puts the most strain on the hamstring, which is the riskiest part for me right now." Looking ahead, Hodgkinson remains optimistic. She plans to continue refining her technique, work closely with medical staff to manage her unique tendon structure, and explore further innovations in performance apparel.
Her victory at Athlos not only adds another trophy to her collection but also signals that she is ready to embrace both the scientific and aesthetic evolution of track and field, setting the stage for what could be a historic push toward the elusive 1:53 world record in the years to come.