Keely Hodgkinson dominated the 800 meters in 1 minute 56.40 seconds while wearing a custom Nike speed suit at the Athlos meet at StoneX Stadium in London, earning a silver Tiffany & Co crown and $65,000 at the all-female track event.
Keely Hodgkinson admitted she felt a “little nervous” about wearing her striking, ninja-inspired speedsuit in London, but believed the women-only Athlos event provided the perfect stage to showcase the innovative Nike design during the international debut at StoneX Stadium on Friday evening following two editions in New York City.
Making its international debut following two editions in New York City, the event prioritises entertainment, combining fashion, music, red carpets, and live DJs. Emerging through pyrotechnics and strobe lighting to energetic music, the 24-year-old went on to dominate the 800 metres in front of a sellout home crowd. She competed wearing sunglasses and a black, Catwoman-style hooded kit complete with long sleeves, a backless panel, and a ponytail slot.
Created by Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis’ 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams, Athlos was staging a meet for the first time outside of New York. The single-night meet included seven disciplines, each featuring six athletes, with money on offer for each position from a total event prize pot of $1.05m (£790,500).
Keely Hodgkinson Unveils Custom Nike Speed Suit in London
The aerodynamic outfit generated considerable attention as Hodgkinson navigated the track on Friday evening. Speaking about the design process, she noted that the garment required a year of adjustments and fittings with the innovation team, blending high-end fashion with competitive athletics.
“This has been like a year in the making. It’s a mixture of fashion and speed and science all coming together for maybe the future of athletics.”
Keely Hodgkinson, via BBC Sport
While aerodynamic efficiency dictated much of the engineering, Hodgkinson insisted on one specific compromise regarding her appearance. Although aerodynamic testing suggested that leaving her hair uncovered created additional air drag, she maintained that personal style and comfort remained non-negotiable during the race.
“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’. I’m very much ‘look good, feel good’ [and that] mental and physical balance.”
Keely Hodgkinson, via The Independent
Dominant 800m Victory and Tiffany & Co Crowns at StoneX Stadium
On the track, Hodgkinson faced little trouble securing her win. She burst clear on the back straight to cross the finish line in one minute 56.40 seconds, finishing well ahead of second-placed Switzerland’s Valentina Rosamilia, who crossed in 1min 58.75secs.
Rather than traditional medals, event organizers presented winners with silver Tiffany & Co crowns. Alongside the crown, Hodgkinson claimed 65,000 US dollars (£48,522) from the 1,057,000 million USD (£790,266) prize pot, ensuring she ended a mixed year with a dominant victory.
Athlos Expands Outside New York With All-Female Lineup
The London staging marked the third staging of the all-female athletics meet, following previous events held in New York City. Designed to put a distinct spotlight on women’s athletics amid a party atmosphere featuring a live track-side DJ, American sprint stars Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson were among the champions.
Reflecting on the timing of the showcase and her outfit debut, Hodgkinson noted that finishing the competitive year at an entertainment-focused showcase felt entirely fitting.
“It was a real honour for them to choose me to put this out first. We weren’t sure when we were going to wear it, but in hindsight an all-women’s event, which is all about the glitz and glamour and putting eyes on women, a bit of a moment was the perfect way to finish the season.”
Keely Hodgkinson, via The Independent
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