Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson debuted a striking, form-fitting speed suit during the all-female Athlos event in London, prioritizing both style and personal comfort, even if it meant a slight compromise on aerodynamic efficiency. The 24-year-old athlete competed in the 800m race wearing an all-black, long-sleeved, hooded Nike outfit.
Hodgkinson stated that her primary 'non-negotiable' element of the suit was maintaining her hair outside the hood, despite aerodynamic suggestions to the contrary. "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,'" she explained. This adherence to personal preference reflects her "look good, feel good" philosophy, which she believes contributes to a crucial mental and physical balance.
The runner, whose appearance drew comparisons to Catwoman, secured a commanding lead in the race. After crossing the finish line, she removed her sunglasses and hood. "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," Hodgkinson commented on the suit’s design. She added that it felt like she was "wearing nothing" and had tested it successfully in 37-degree heat.
The innovative suit, a collaboration with the Nike innovation team, is a testament to a year-long development process. "It’s a mixture of fashion, speed and science all coming together, for maybe the future of athletics potentially," Hodgkinson said. She acknowledged the honor of being chosen to debut the design first, noting that the all-women's event, focused on celebrating female athletes, provided a fitting stage for its unveiling.
Hodgkinson drew inspiration from past athletes, citing Cathy Freeman and others who have experimented with similar styles. "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," she stated.
In addition to the fashion statement, Hodgkinson won the 800m race with a time of one minute 56.40 seconds, earning $65,000 from the event's $1.057 million prize pool. Despite initial nervousness due to pyrotechnics and loud music, she described the experience as "really fun" and memorable.
Hodgkinson is a decorated athlete, holding a silver medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a gold from the Paris 2024 Games in the 800-meter event. She also holds the record as the youngest women’s 800-meter European indoor champion and was Britain's youngest medalist in over 50 years at the time of her victory at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland.
