Adidas Unveils Team GB Kit
adidas has revealed the new kits for Team GB and ParalympicsGB ahead of Rio 2016, designed by adidas and creative director Stella McCartney.
The design also features a new official British Coat of Arms that has been specially created to act as a unifying symbol across the two teams and multiple sports.
Commissioned by adidas and created by The College of Arms, the new design includes references to all four home nations and has been granted to the British Olympic Association (BOA) and British Paralympic Association (BPA) for use by the governing bodies from 2016.
Alongside the coat of arms, the design features the red, blue and white colours of the Union Flag.
Consultation with athletes including 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medallists Jessica Ennis-Hill, Tom Daley and Laura Trott was a component of the two-year creative design and testing process.
Every element of the range features adidas technology with lightweight, breathable synthetic ADIZERO fabric has been used to create outfits that are on average 10% lighter than 2012.
The different garments include adidas CLIMA technology, specially-developed materials which conduct heat and sweat away from the body to ensure athletes stay dry and comfortable. Whilst footwear for the track, road, and podium will feature the return of adidas BOOST technology.
2012 Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the creative process with Stella McCartney and adidas. It’s an amazing design and I think it will give British athletes a massive sense of pride and give us an edge in Rio.”
Barry Moore, adidas UK brand director said: “Athletes are at the heart of everything we do at adidas. We’ve worked with our Creative Director Stella McCartney and top British athletes to create a kit that is not only lighter than at 2012 but also one that includes our CLIMA technology – innovations that will help Team GB and ParalympicsGB in their pursuit for medals in Rio.”
Bill Sweeney, BOA CEO said: “adidas have created yet another iconic look for Team GB. The detail that has gone into the creation of the huge range of technical and leisure products enables us to go to Rio as the best prepared team, with the perfect fusion of performance with style. Its eye-catching design means our fans will easily be able to pick out their favourite stars. With just 100 days to go this is a real moment of excitement on the journey to Rio.”
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, added: “ParalympicsGB athletes wear their adidas kit with a huge amount of pride, which makes today’s launch incredibly exciting for every athlete focused on Rio. We’ve worked alongside adidas to create a range of kit that not only looks fantastic but also incorporates world class technology, helping our athletes to give personal best performances on the biggest stage for their sport later this year.”
