RIO 2016: For the seventh time in their 102 year history, iconic Australian lifestyle brand Sportscraft is incredibly honoured to once again partner with the Australian Olympic Committee as the Official Supplier of Opening Ceremony and Formal Uniforms to the 2016 Australian Olympic team.
On 30th March at Australia’s Bondi Beach the design of the symbolic sporting apparel was revealed for the first time, worn by 11 outstanding athletes.
Sportscraft worked closely with the AOC, athletes, and Australian Olympic Uniform Committee for over two years to design the uniforms, ensuring that the look not only reflects our Australian heritage and lifestyle, but that form and functionality is carefully considered and applied to suit the best interests of our athletes who will spend hours wearing the outfits.
The design project began with the Sportscraft team working to three leading priorities; honouring our Australian Olympic Heritage; designing fashionable, but wearable uniforms that meet the wants and needs of the athletes; and outfitting the team in a look that represents the Australian lifestyle, and is also fitting for the climate and the festive spirit of the host city Rio.
Kitty Chiller, Chef de Mission, 2016 Australian Olympic Team, says the uniform design exactly meets the brief and the Team will be proud to wear Sportscraft again when we march into the Main Stadium on the 5th of August. The design superbly reflects the Australian lifestyle and Rio environment while also being comfortable for the athletes. Kitty says it was a pleasure to again work with Sportscraft and see their commitment to the Australian Olympic Team.
Adrian Jones, CEO APG & Co. said, “It is with great pleasure and pride that Sportscraft have the opportunity to work together with the Australian Olympic Committee in dressing some of Australia’s most incredible sporting talent for the 2016 Olympic Games. The uniform created for London was branded one of the best by the 2012 Australian Olympic team; so it was important for us to listen to what the athletes loved, adding new exciting elements of surprise and a fresh update that is perfect for Rio.”
The athletes will enter the Opening Ceremony wearing sharply tailored green seersucker cotton blazers, finished with a gold embroidered coat of arms badge and burnished gold Australian Olympic coat of arms buttons. Sportscraft have once again created a special ode to our past gold medallists by creating unique lining inside the jacket with each athlete’s name. Other key design details include the ladies silk scarf printed with the Southern Cross, beautiful 100% extra fine Australian Merino wool knits, and a green and gold knitted men’s tie.
Athlete Alex Croak (Olympian 2000 (Gymnastics) and 2008 (Diving)), and Uniform Committee member, says: “The Olympic Games is the pinnacle for many athletes’ careers and taking athlete input into consideration is an important element of the development of the uniform. This is to ensure comfort and practicality is married with the fashion and design in an outfit that can enhance the performance of an athlete.”
Sportscraft Brand Ambassador Naomi Watts spoke about the uniform, “It’s fantastic, as we all know in Rio it will be hot in August and so lightweight fabrics are very suitable for summer, very comfortable for the athletes, and very traditional, and I happen to be a fan of the seersucker, so a nice little bit of a stripe is a good detail.”
TOMS, the One for One company in business to improve lives, is proud to be providing the official shoe for the Australian Olympic Team. TOMS now gives in over 70 countries around the world, including Australia, and has given over 50 million pairs of shoes to children in need to date. Australia’s athletes will be stepping out in socially conscious style, wearing the specially designed TOMS in Rio. As always, for every shoe purchased, a new pair of shoes is given to a child in need. One for One.
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