When the Olympics come around one of the most exciting thing we get to experience is seeing athletics march out in their country’s uniform. Even thought about who gets to choose the uniforms for Olympic athletes ??
It’s not as simple picking a favorite color. There’s a whole team of people involved, from National Committee to famous designers and even the athletes themselves. They all worked together to create the perfect outfits that represent their country on the world stage Let’s explore how these decisions are made and what goes into creating those iconic Olympic looks. The IOC(International Olympics Committee) Executive Board will have the sole authority to finally determine compliance with the Olympic Charter and these NOC apparel Guidelines. Designers can bid for an Olympics deal which could last years to be short lived. Like many of the athletes they aim to dress ,are being judged and deals can be broken because of competing tastes.
The most considerable point while designing a uniform for any nation for Olympics is to keep in mind the pride of the country. One is not only going to wear the uniform but representing the country’s identity. Designers often look to national symbols, colors and cultural elements that resonates with the country’s customs and values. For example, for Tokyo 2020 Olympics,Japan’s uniform featured the country’s signature red and white colors, reflecting the Japanese flag.
Most countries partner with well-known fashion designers to create their Olympics uniforms. Whereas these designers blend their creativity with the country’s identity as well keeping in mind with the guidelines provided to them after which designer/ design house is contracted after a fair bid. For instance, For instance, Berluti for France and Emporio Armani for Italy roped in to design for their nation.
While style is important, these uniforms must be functional athletes need to perform at their best for which their clothing plays the crucial role. The uniforms are made with high-performance materials and that too are breathable. For example, for Australian’s team uniforms for 2016 Olympics were designed by the brand Sportscraft and incorporated lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics to help athletes stay cool & comfortable in Brazil’s hot and humid climate.
Athletes are often asked to provide input on the uniforms they will be wearing. Their feedback is essential to ensure the comfort, fit and functionality of the uniform which is not all about the look of the outfit but also about its feel comfy.Once the designers are done, they must be approved by the country’s Olympic committee and the International Olympic Committee. This ensures the uniform meet all the regulations and standards, including appropriate use of the national flags, logos, and colors.
What is Identification on NOC team Apparel – Practical Guidelines 2024 has to say??
The Apparel Guidelines apply to Apparel meaning Clothing( any piece of attire worn by a participant, including, without any limitation, competition clothing as prescribed within the rules of each sport).They are as follows:
- The size of an Manufacturer Identification shall not exceed 30 cm2 for clothing
- The Manufacturer logo on Clothing shouldn’t be larger than 30sq cm. An additional logo-related to the products technology is allowed but should not be no bigger than 10sq cm.
- For one piece body suits worn in competition, one manufacturer’s logo and one product technology logo are allowed both above and below the waist as long as all other guidelines are followed.
- A logo can be placed on zippers and buttons, but it must be in the same color as the item, and should not stand out.
- If the clothing item has elastic -material , the size of the material is stretched , as it would be when worn by an athlete.
What’s new this Olympics Paris 2024/??
For the first time , the Olympics are perfectly gender-balanced, with equal numbers of men and women among the 10,500 athletes and IOC has asked the media to offer “Gender Equal Representation” since 2018 (sport appeal, not sex appeal”).
Olympics Uniforms are more than just clothing – they are a powerful statement of nation’s pride and unity. The uniform is the reflection of everything athletes have been trained for, the support of their nation, and the pride of competing on the world’s biggest stage. From the initial design concepts to the final stitches, a lot of thought, creativity, and passion go into the creation of these uniforms. Next time when you watch Olympics take a moment to appreciate the craftmanship and emotions behind those uniforms- you’ll see what they are wearing are not just a crafted piece of cloth, they are wearing their nation’s heart and soul. What do you think of this year’s Olympics uniforms? or which country’s Olympics uniforms are your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Gud article, very insightful
Your passion for the subject matter shines through. Great read
Gr8 !! Different article with the existing topic