Keely Hodgkinson capped off her 2026 campaign with a commanding performance in the 800 metres at the Athlos meet in London, taking the win 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 a troubling hamstring issue that was only identified after an MRI revealed an "abnormality" in the muscle.
Throughout the year, Hodgkinson's dominance in the women's 800m has been challenged 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 inching toward the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28, a time set 43 years ago and still untouched.
On the Friday evening at StoneX Stadium, neither Werro nor Bol were present, allowing Hodgkinson to cruise to the line in 1:56.40 and retain her Athlos title. Athlos itself is a women‑only athletics showcase that debuted last year under the patronage of Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams. The event is designed to celebrate female athletes and to experiment with new formats and technologies, making Hodgkinson's suit debut especially fitting.
"I'm honored they let me wear this on stage," Hodgkinson said in the post‑race interview. "I was a bit nervous stepping out, but the hood helped block out the noise and the whole experience was incredibly fun – something I’ll remember for the rest of my career." She added that the suit represented months of collaboration with Nike's innovation team: "This has been a year‑long project involving countless fittings and adjustments.
It feels like a blend of fashion, speed and science, and could point toward the future of athletics gear." Hodgkinson explained why she was chosen to be the first athlete to showcase the prototype: "We weren’t sure when the suit would debut, but an all‑women's event that highlights style and visibility felt like the perfect platform to end the season. It was a moment that matched the spirit of the competition." Visually, the outfit evoked memories of Australian sprint legend Cathy Freeman, who famously wore a distinctive uniform when she won the 400 metres at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Hodgkinson believes the suit complies with all regulations and noted that she had already trained in it during a hot‑weather camp in South Africa, where temperatures neared 40 °C. "From a physics standpoint, having your hair out can increase drag, but I wasn't willing to compromise on that," she laughed. "I wanted to look good, feel good – that mental‑physical balance is crucial for me." When asked about the prospect of wearing the hooded kit at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted at future possibilities: "We might know some things that the public doesn’t yet. This was a test run.
It isn’t entirely new – athletes like Cathy Freeman experimented with similar concepts years ago – but this is the modern, tech‑enhanced version." She reflected on the inspiration drawn from Freeman: "She competed before I was born, but I’ve seen the footage and photos. It was exciting to take that legacy and make it my own.
The style mattered a lot to me." Comfort and a sense of confidence were also key drivers behind the design. "I wanted to feel comfortable yet a little sexy. The back is open, which keeps me cool – it almost feels like I’m wearing nothing," Hodgkinson said.
Earlier in the year, Hodgkinson shattered the indoor 800 m world record in February and set her sights on the outdoor record held by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová since 1983. That mark remains controversial because of allegations of state‑sponsored doping in the era, which Kratochvílová has consistently denied. Despite her ambitions, Hodgkinson’s ranking this season slipped behind Werro, who bested her at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships. A hamstring tear sustained at the European Championships in Birmingham forced her to miss the final two Diamond League meetings, though she continued to compete despite the injury.
"My anatomy is a bit unusual – most people have a single tendon, but I have two split tendons," Hodgkinson explained. "We’re still figuring out whether that’s an advantage or a liability. When one tendon tore, the other held up, so I could finish the race, but I definitely felt something was off." She described the injury as “weird” but manageable: "You can still run on a split tendon. I haven’t missed any training in the past three weeks, but I’ve had to modify my approach.
I’ve taken speed work off for now because that’s when the risk is highest." Looking ahead, Hodgkinson remains optimistic about her recovery and the potential of the new suit to influence future competition. "The technology is still evolving, and I think we’ll see more athletes experimenting with gear that blends performance and aesthetics," she concluded.
"For now, I’m just grateful to finish the season with a win and a glimpse of what’s possible on the track."