Keely Hodgkinson capped off 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 had endured a turbulent couple of months, battling illness and a nagging injury. Earlier this week she disclosed that an MRI scan had detected an "abnormality" in her hamstring, a finding that has added a layer of uncertainty to her preparation. Despite those setbacks, Hodgkinson remained a formidable competitor on the world stage.
This season she has been eclipsed in the 800 m by Switzerland’s rising talent Audrey Werro, turning the event into a thrilling three‑way rivalry that also includes the Netherlands’ Femke Bol. All three athletes have been chasing the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28, a time that has stood untouched for 43 years and represents a benchmark that many believe is finally within reach.
On the night of the race, neither Werro nor Bol were present at StoneX Stadium, leaving Hodgkinson to run largely unchallenged. She crossed the finish line in 1:56.40, comfortably defending her Athlos title and providing a satisfying conclusion to her season. The victory was made even more memorable by the debut of her innovative suit, a sleek, hooded garment designed in collaboration with Nike’s research and development team. The suit blends cutting‑edge aerodynamics with a fashion‑forward aesthetic, and Hodgkinson described the experience as both exhilarating and nerve‑wracking.
"I’m honoured they let me put this on show. I was a little nervous, walking out. The shades helped me just block out the noise, but it was really fun and it’s something I’ll remember forever," she said in post‑race interviews.
She added that the suit represented a year‑long process of fittings and adjustments, describing it as "a mixture of fashion, speed and science all coming together, maybe the future of athletics." The fact that the suit was unveiled at an all‑women’s event—Athlos was launched last year by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams—felt particularly apt, Hodgkinson noted, because the meet emphasizes glamour and visibility for female athletes. Visually, the outfit evoked memories of Australian sprint legend Cathy Freeman, who famously wore a distinctive uniform when she won the 400 m at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Hodgkinson confirmed that the suit complies with all governing‑body regulations and explained that she had already tested it during a training camp in South Africa, where temperatures approached 40 °C. "The science says that with the hair out you create more drag, but I wasn’t willing to compromise on my look. I’m a firm believer in looking good, feeling good, and that mental‑physical balance matters," she explained. When asked about the prospect of wearing the suit at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted at possible future developments: "We might know some things that people don’t!
It was a test out there. This isn’t something we haven’t seen before—Cathy Freeman and a few others did something similar years ago, and this is the updated version with new technology." She praised Freeman as an inspiration, noting that although Freeman competed before Hodgkinson was born, the iconic images of the 2000 race left a lasting impression.
Beyond the visual appeal, Hodgkinson emphasized comfort and performance. "I wanted to be comfortable but also feel a little bit sexy. The back is open, which keeps me cool, and honestly it feels like I’m wearing nothing," she laughed. The open‑back design helps with temperature regulation, a crucial factor when racing in warm conditions.
Hodgkinson’s ambitions extend beyond the season‑ending win. Earlier in the year she shattered the indoor 800 m world record, and she now sets her sights on the outdoor mark set by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983—a time that remains controversial due to allegations of state‑sponsored doping in that era, claims which Kratochvílová has consistently denied.
Hodgkinson hopes to rewrite that chapter with a clean, modern performance. The British star’s season, however, has not been without its challenges. After being overtaken by Werro at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships, Hodgkinson missed the final two Diamond League meetings.
She revealed that she suffered a hamstring tear during the European Championships in Birmingham but continued to race despite the injury. "My body is built differently.
Most people have one tendon; I have two, split. We’re still figuring out whether that’s a strength or a weakness," she explained.
"When one tendon tore, the other was still intact, so I could still run, but I felt something was off." Hodgkinson has not allowed the setback to derail her training entirely. She reports that she has not missed any sessions in the past three weeks, though she has modified her regimen to protect the vulnerable area. "I’ve had to take my foot off the speed work because that’s when the risk is highest," she said.
This cautious approach aims to preserve her long‑term health while still allowing her to compete at the highest level. In summary, Keely Hodgkinson’s triumph at Athlos was a multifaceted milestone: a race win, a fashion statement, and a testament to resilience in the face of injury. As she looks ahead to future championships and possibly the 2028 Olympics, she does so with a renewed sense of purpose, a cutting‑edge suit, and the determination to chase a historic world record while navigating the unique physiology of her own body.