Keely Hodgkinson will be banned from wearing her all-black Nike catsuit at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 due to Team GB’s sponsorship rules.

The reigning 800-metre Olympic champion donned the ensemble, which pulled over her head and covered her in the sleek material from palms to ankles – except for her almost entirely bare back – for the first time at Athlos in London last week.

She crossed the finish line in one minute 56.40 seconds to mark Athlos’ debut on the international stage with a commanding win.

The one-of-a-kind super suit, which seemingly takes inspiration from Cathy Freeman’s iconic Sydney 2000 number, was engineered by Nike specifically for Hodgkinson.

When asked if she and all her competitors will be wearing the style in LA in two years’ time, Hodgkinson gave an answer that suggested it could be a possibility.

‘We might know some things that people don’t,’ the track star said. ‘It was a test out there. This is not something we haven’t seen before.’

Keely Hodgkinson will not be allowed to wear her all-black Nike catsuit at the Olympics in 2028

Hodgkinson wore the suit for the first time at Athlos in London last week and won the 800m

However, unless Nike’s biggest rival, Adidas, knocks up a bespoke version for Hodgkinson ahead of the Games in the United States, then the 24-year-old will not be able to wear such a suit to defend her title.

This is due to Team GB’s longstanding partnership with the German sportswear manufacturer, which spans back to the last Olympics that was held in LA, 42 years ago.

British athletes are required to wear the team racing kit, which is designed by Adidas, when competing for the nation at the Games. ‘Technical’ kit, such as running spikes, are an exception to the rule.

If Nike does roll out the full-body ‘Zero-Distraction Speed Suit’ to its other athletes, and World Athletics ratifies it for use at the Olympics, then Hodgkinson may indeed watch her competitors take to the track in the eye-catching black catsuit she brought back to life. But she wouldn’t be able to race them in it.

Team GB and Adidas are expected to continue their partnership at the famous multi-sport event in 2028.

A Team GB spokesperson said: ‘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.

Hodgkinson will once again have to wear Team GB’s Adidas kit at the Games in two years

‘We’re confident and excited about what’s ahead and the developments we’re working towards for future Games, including Los Angeles 2028.’

Hodgkinson admitted she was a ‘little nervous’ to walk out in the speedsuit, which was completed by iridescent spikes, but felt the all-female Athlos meet – where she secured £50,000 in prize money for her win – was the ideal place to debut the ensemble.   

Following her win, she said: ‘Cathy Freeman and some other athletes from a while ago did something like this, and this is the updated new version, with the new technology.

‘(Freeman) was before I was born, but I have seen the race and photos. 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.

‘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 OK.’