Sport4 min(s) read
Team GB middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson has been banned from using her catsuit at the upcoming Olympics for one reason.
The 24-year-old, who is best known for winning the gold medal in the women's 800 meters at the 2024 Olympics, made headlines following last week's Athlos competition in London.
Hodgkinson donned an all-black Nike catsuit on Friday (September 18), which was pulled over her head and almost covered her entire body in the skintight material.
Only her bare back and shoulders were left uncovered at the female-only track and field meeting series.
Once again competing in the 800-meter event, Hodgkinson crossed the line in 1:56.40, emerging victorious on her Athlos debut.
The suit itself is unique, being made for the runner by Nike specifically, drawing comparisons to Cathy Freeman's 2000 Olympics suit.
However, it is possible that we won't see the suit on the biggest stage of them all: the Olympics.
After her win, Hodgkinson was asked if she and other competitors will be wearing similar suits come the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
She replied: "We might know some things that people don't. It was a test out there. This is not something we haven't seen before."
While she has suggested it isn't off the table, Team GB's sponsorship rules say otherwise.
Her suit was tailor-made by Nike, but to wear it for her nation, their German arch-rivals will need to make one themselves.
Adidas is the official sportswear partner and kit supplier of Team GB, with the partnership stretching back to the 1982 Olympics, coincidentally the last time the City of Angels hosted the sporting event.
British athletes are required to wear the team kit, which is designed by Adidas, when competing at the Games, though technical items, such as running spikes, are an exception.
If Nike chooses to go one step further and do a mass release of the full-body 'Zero-Distraction Speed Suit' to other competitors, and World Athletics allow it, we may see numerous athletes with the suit in two years.
Hodgkinson may be forced to watch on, though, as she won't be able to don the suit on the biggest stage, as there are no plans for Team GB and Adidas to end their partnership ahead of 2028.
Speaking about their partnership with Adidas, a Team GB spokesperson wrote: "Supported by our partners and in tandem with our sports, we have always worked to provide athlete-centred and innovative kit that supports our teams to perform at their best at both the Summer and Winter Games.
"We're confident and excited about what's ahead and the developments we're working towards for future Games, including Los Angeles 2028."
The Olympic gold medallist admitted that she was nervous to don the speedsuit, which also featured iridescent spikes.
But following the event, which saw her win £50,000 ($66,200) in prize money, she doesn't have any regrets.
She paid homage to athletes such as Freeman and other athletes who wore similar suits in the past.
The Brit admitted that hers uses new technology, and while it was before she was born, 'it was really cool to draw inspiration from the past and make it your own as well'.
Hodgkinson opened up about the look, explaining: "The style was a big thing for me. 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.
"It feels like I'm wearing nothing to be honest. I trained in it in South Africa in 37-degree heat, and it was okay."
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