Aussie Olympic team unveils opening ceremony uniform

04 May '12

5 min read

For the first time in Australian history, the official Opening Ceremony uniform of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team was unveiled ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

The Official Suppliers to the 2012 Australian Olympic Team, Sportscraft and Volley, embarked on the Australian uniform journey to London 2012 with the help of some great Australian Olympians.

In 2011, a Uniform Design Sub-Committee was developed, led by dual Olympic gold medallist and 2012 Chef de Mission Nick Green as well as three other Australian Olympians - Chris Fydler (swimming 2000 and 2012 Deputy Chef de Mission), Libby Trickett (swimming 2004, 2008, 2012) and Trent Franklin (water polo 2004, 2008).

The Committee was charged with developing a design brief for the 2012 Opening Ceremony Uniform in order for Sportscraft and Volley to create a uniform in line with what athletes would want to wear.

The brief summised that the athletes wanted to feel "proud, inspired and honoured" to be wearing the Opening Ceremony uniform. They felt it important that the uniform be contemporary, stylish, wearable, slim-fit and classic modern. Alongside style, comfort was identified as an important factor, with athletes spending up to seven hours on their feet during the Ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Libby Trickett said: “It was really great for athletes to be part of the design process and I was so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it. We wanted to create something that suited the majority of athletes and I think what has been designed has turned out really well.

The style and cut are the real highlight for me, I think it will be really flattering. They have met the brief and I can really see 'Australia' in the uniform. We will all feel very patriotic in the uniform and it will have a huge 'wow factor' at the Games.”

With over 1,500 prospective Team members fitted by Sportscraft and Volley, a uniform for the Opening Ceremony and a uniform for the Team Reception and other similar functions throughout the Games has been created.

Tailored to the different shapes, sizes and heights of the athletes, the uniform features a bespoke size range going from a size 2XS to 7XL and shoes starting from a size 13 kids through to a 18 US men's.

AOC President John Coates said: “It is really important that the athletes were involved in the design process for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony uniform. Given the strong Australian heritage and rich sporting history of both Sportscraft and Volley, we are very excited to have them both on board as suppliers and I know the athletes will be very proud to wear the new uniform.”

Sportscraft have dressed Australia's Olympians in their Opening Ceremony and formal uniforms at recent Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games, and it is with enormous pride that the Australian brand is again dressing them for London 2012. In a nod to its 98-year Australian heritage, the Opening Ceremony uniform portrays the Australian “laid back” lifestyle, while still achieving a smart and traditional look (echoing the brand values of Sportscraft).

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