British athlete Keely Hodgkinson banned from wearing black catsuit in 2028 Olympics
British athlete Keely Hodgkinson has been banned from wearing her iconic all-black Nike catsuit outfit during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old Team GB runner, best known for taking home gold in the women's 800 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, stunned at the Athlos competition in London last week (18 September).
Nike had created Hodgkinson the bespoke outfit which featured an open back and a specially designed gap for her trademark ponytail.
Commenting on her choice of attire, the decorated athlete explained: "The style was a big thing. I wanted it to be comfortable but also to feel a little bit sexy. The back is open. It makes it cool. I am not hot at all in it. It's like I am wearing nothing."
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The catsuit caused quite a stir online after Hodgkinson ran 1:56.40, which is two seconds outside her personal best, to claim the Athlos title.
And despite clearly loving the look, Hodgkinson won't be able to wear the headline-making catsuit at the Olympics in two years' time due to Team GB's longstanding partnership with Adidas which dates back to the 1982 Olympics, per the Mirror.
Due to this, Team GB athletes have to wear the team kit produced by Adidas.
Speaking of Team GB's partnership with Adidas, Kathryn Swarbrick, Senior Vice President of Adidas Northern Europe, said: “We’re proud to announce the extension of our longstanding partnership with Team GB. Our 40-year collaboration shows the two brands’ commitment to elite performance and style.
"This relationship has produced some of the most memorable sporting moments and designs in Olympic history. On the eve of this year’s Games, adidas looks forward to seeing the 2024 collection come to life, inspired by the fiery competitiveness within all athletes, on display in Paris."
A UK Athletics spokesperson, via Wales Online, added: "The speed suit Keely Hodgkinson wore at Athlos was a bespoke Nike design created specifically for her.
"We are in regular dialogue with Nike regarding all aspects of performance apparel and will continue to assess any innovations that could benefit our athletes in future championship environments."
And a Team GB spokesperson weighed in: "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."
Rhiannon Ingle