Athletics superstar by day, fashion model by night sounds like the start of a superhero film, but for Team GB sprinter Daryll Neita it’s a reality. Well, it’s a bit more like, athletics superstar by season, fashion week on the off-season, but you get the point. Oh, and you can add charity founder in there too.
For the Team GB sprinting superstar, it’s her third Olympics, making her somewhat of a veteran of the team. As well as medals at the European Championships, Commonwealth Games and boasting four British titles, Neita has been an Olympic bronze medal winner in the 4x100m relay team in both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. This year she’ll remain part of that medal-winning relay team as well as going for individual medals in the 100m and 200m. And with the Olympics being so much closer to home, it’s even more exciting.
“There’s a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding these Games.”
“Paris holds a special place in my heart,” said Neita at the Adidas kit unveiling in Paris in April. “Firstly, its proximity to home adds an extra layer of excitement to these Olympic Games. Unlike Rio, which felt so distant, Paris is just a short 45 minute flight away, allowing family and friends to attend and show their support. Beyond the practicalities, Paris exudes a magical charm that captivates me. I’ve dreamt of attending Fashion Week here one day, having already experienced Milan and Paris feels like the next step. Overall, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding these Games, and I have a strong feeling that it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
You’d think a career as an athlete would be enough to keep her busy, but Neita sees her fashion work as a compliment to her sport.
“Fashion to me is just something that is different,” she says. “It’s away from the track. It’s neutral. I work for a modelling agency called Storm, and for the last couple of years, I’ve gone to Milan for fashion week. And that happens at the end of the season, so it’s great because I’m able to unwind and then go and watch the shows, meet so many people, and just be inspired in a different way.
“I spend the whole year in an athletics kit and trainers and tracksuits and shorts and sports bras, but it’s nice to be able to kind of get dressed up and feel good. And also, it’s just always been a passion of mine. I’m just good at sports, but I love fashion. Fashion is a way for me where I can express myself. And although I don’t feel like I get that many opportunities to dress up and go out, there are still times in my season when I do get to get dressed up, and it just keeps me feeling unique. It’s nice to be able to feel individual and have a little bit of that through fashion. And I actually love the kit this year, especially this Olympic kit that I’ve seen, because it just feels a little bit more diverse and just a little bit more sexy, which is nice!”
When it comes to sexiness, Neita doesn’t shy away – and was thrilled to see the new kit the Team GB women will wear this summer.
“There’s no reason why you can’t be a strong athletic woman, but also looking absolutely feminine.”
“There’s nothing better than when you put on a sports outfit and you feel good and you look good,” says Neita. “So for me, it’s about definitely finding my style within my brand and wearing the things that make me feel most confident because I feel like that’s definitely possible. And there’s so much range now in styles and things you can wear that you can really find your personality, especially within the brand of Adidas. And I like to do that. I don’t shy away from wanting to feel a little bit sexier here. Just find the styles that suit me and my body and be confident with that. I think that’s important.
“I feel like we’re definitely being listened to by Adidas designers. I can speak for what I see in Adidas, especially. I feel like I’ve been asked my opinion on a few different collections and stuff like that in the past, and looking into the future as well. So my voice has definitely been included and heard a lot, and I feel like we can really see that in what we’re seeing today in the kit. And yeah, I do feel like being a woman, it’s definitely important to just feel good. You know, sports can have labels at times, and people don’t always associate it with being the most glamorous thing, but I feel like it can be. There’s no reason why you can’t be a strong athletic woman, but also looking absolutely feminine and all these other things, and glamorous. The two can go, and I feel like it’s nice to be seeing that come together. If that’s what you’re interested in, everyone’s different.”
The athlete has recently turned her attention to setting up the Daryll Neita Athletics Community, “a project born out of a desire to make a positive impact beyond my own athletic endeavours,” she says. “While my career trajectory has largely centred around personal achievements, I now find myself in a position to consider the future and the generations to come. With the 2024 Olympic year underway, it felt like the perfect time to launch something new aimed at inspiring young athletes and supporting the next generation.”
“I aim to support others while continuing to pursue my own goals.”
Neita was discovered during a sports day, aged just eight and recently the community has recently hosted some local sports days. “It’s a way for me to give back and recreate the opportunities that shaped my own path to success,” she says. “In addition to sports days, we plan to implement a mentoring program and potentially offer grants to young athletes in the future. Even small gestures, like providing equipment or sponsor support, can make a significant difference in a young athlete’s journey. By combining all aspects of my career and involvement, I aim to support others while continuing to pursue my own goals.”
There’s something very “now” about Neita’s hyphenated, or “slash” career (athlete-slash-model-slash-charity-founder) but it’s clear for her it comes from a natural place, where all her skills can combine.
“I just love showing diversity. I feel like there’s nothing wrong with being able to do more than one thing in life. I think you should explore all your options.”
Rhiannon Evans is the interim content director at PS UK. Rhiannon has been a journalist for 17 years, starting at local newspapers before moving to work for Heat magazine and Grazia. As a senior editor at Grazia, she helped launch parenting brand The Juggle, worked across brand partnerships, and launched the “Grazia Life Advice” podcast. An NCE-qualified journalist (yes, with a 120-words-per-minute shorthand), she has written for The Guardian, Vice and Refinery29.
