Team GB athlete Keely Hodgkinson won't be able to wear her much-discussed black catsuit at the next Olympics, due to a rule governing what Team GB athletes are permitted to compete in.
What happened
Hodgkinson wore an all-black Nike catsuit, custom-made for the Olympic 800m gold medallist, at the Athlos competition in London on 18 September, drawing comparisons to Cathy Freeman's iconic 2000 Olympics suit.
The rule preventing her from wearing it
Despite the attention the outfit received, Hodgkinson won't be permitted to wear the Nike catsuit at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, because Team GB has an official kit partnership with Adidas rather than Nike. Adidas has served as Team GB's official sportswear partner and kit supplier since 1984, meaning athletes are required to compete in Team GB kit produced by Adidas. The only exception applies to technical items such as running spikes, which fall under less strict rules.
What Team GB and Adidas said
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." Andy Anson, CEO of the British Olympic Association, added: "Our adidas relationship has become synonymous with our Olympic team, with over 40 years of iconic moments taking place since adidas and Team GB first partnered in 1984."
Hodgkinson's own comments
Speaking to press after her win at the Athlos event, Hodgkinson seemed to hint the catsuit was only ever a one-off, saying: "We might know some things that people don't. It was a test out there. This is not something we haven't seen before."
