Keely Hodgkinson delivered a commanding performance in the final race of her 2026 campaign, seizing victory 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 crossed the finish line in 1:56.40, comfortably defending her Athlos crown and ending the season on a high note.
The win was especially significant given the challenges Hodgkinson has faced over the past two months. She has been battling a series of health setbacks, including a recent MRI that revealed an "abnormality" in her hamstring.
Despite the lingering issue, she managed to stay competitive and even thrive under pressure. This year, the women's 800 m has become a focal point of global athletics because three athletes—Switzerland's Audrey Werro, Hodgkinson herself, and the Netherlands' Femke Bol—have been pushing each other toward the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28, a mark that has stood for 43 years. Werro and Bol were absent from the StoneX Stadium on Friday, which allowed Hodgkinson to dictate the pace and secure the gold without a serious challenge. Athlos, the all‑women’s showcase event, was launched in 2023 by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams.
The meet aims to celebrate female athletes, combine sport with entertainment, and provide a platform for innovative ideas in track and field. "I felt honored to be the first to wear this suit on such a big stage," Hodgkinson said after the race. "I was a little nervous walking out, but the hood helped block out the noise and let me focus.
It was a fun experience and something I’ll remember forever." The hooded suit, developed in partnership with Nike's innovation team, represents a blend of fashion, performance technology, and scientific research. Hodgkinson explained that the development process took about a year, involving multiple fittings and adjustments.
"It’s a mix of style, speed and science coming together, maybe pointing toward the future of athletics," she remarked. She also highlighted the symbolic timing of the debut. "We weren’t sure when we’d get to wear it, but an all‑women’s event that celebrates glamour and puts the spotlight on female athletes was the perfect moment to finish the season," Hodgkinson added. Visually, the outfit evoked memories of Australian sprint legend Cathy Freeman, who famously wore a distinctive outfit when she won the 400 m 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 approached 40 °C. "From a physics standpoint, having your hair out increases drag, but I wasn’t willing to compromise on my look.
I’m a firm believer that looking good and feeling good creates the right mental and physical balance," she said. When asked about the possibility of wearing the hooded suit at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hodgkinson hinted that future regulations might evolve. "We might know some things that people don’t yet!
It was a test run. This isn’t something completely new—Cathy Freeman and a few others experimented with similar concepts years ago. This is the updated version with modern technology," she explained.
She continued, "Freeman’s era was before I was born, but I’ve seen the footage and photos. It was inspiring to draw from that history and make it my own. Style mattered a lot to me.
I wanted to feel comfortable, a little sexy, and the open back kept me cool. Honestly, it felt almost like I wasn’t wearing anything at all." Earlier in the year, Hodgkinson shattered the indoor world record for the women's 800 m in February, raising expectations that she might also break the outdoor record set by Czechoslovakian runner Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983 (1:53.28).
That record remains controversial because of allegations that the former Czechoslovak sports system employed systematic doping, a claim Kratochvílová has consistently denied. Despite her indoor triumph, Hodgkinson has been overtaken in the seasonal rankings by Swiss star Audrey Werro, who defeated her at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships.
Hodgkinson missed the last two Diamond League meetings because of a hamstring tear she sustained at the European Championships in Birmingham, although she continued to finish the race despite the injury. "My body is literally built differently," Hodgkinson explained.
"Most people have a single hamstring tendon, but mine is split into two. We’re still figuring out whether that’s an advantage or a liability.
When one tendon tore, the other remained intact, so I could still run, but I felt something was off." She added that the split tendon has forced her to modify her training regimen. "I haven’t missed any training in the past three weeks, but I’ve had to change my approach.
I’ve taken my foot off the speed work because that’s when the risk of re‑injury is highest." Looking ahead, Hodgkinson remains optimistic. She plans to continue refining her technique, work closely with her medical team to manage the hamstring issue, and explore further innovations in apparel and equipment. Her goal is to return stronger in 2027, challenge the world record once more, and perhaps showcase the hooded suit on the Olympic stage, should regulations permit.
Overall, Hodgkinson’s season‑ending victory at Athlos not only highlighted her resilience in the face of injury but also underscored the growing intersection of sport, technology, and style in modern athletics. The event served as a reminder that athletes are increasingly becoming ambassadors for both performance and fashion, and that the future of track may very well be defined by such pioneering collaborations.