‘It’s impossible to get any whiter than that’: Team USA Olympic uniforms mocked online
Unveiling of outfits for Team USA and Canada attract controversy — for different reasons
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Outfits for Team USA were mocked online following their unveiling for the Tokyo Olympics.
The all-white uniforms will be worn by Team USA for the closing ceremony, according to reports, and were ready to go for the 2020 Olympics — taking place from July.
Ralph Lauren were responsible for the Team USA outfits for both the Tokyo opening and closing ceremonies, and for the Tokyo’s athletes village.
Offering criticism of the all-white assembles for appearing too wealthy, one Twitter user wrote that “The outfits look like their Dads payed their child’s way out of a driving under influence [offence]”.
Others wrote that the outfits were for yachting, or for astronauts, or were too white to represent the US.
“Someone should tell Ralph Lauren and NBC Olympics that Team USA isn’t just white people,” one wrote.
Referencing the fashion company’s logo, another added that the all-white outfits were “Your quadrennial reminder that Ralph Lauren designs Team USA outfits inspired by white aristocracy, and slapped with a logo based on a sport that hasn't been contested in the Olympics since 1936.”
“It's impossible to get any whiter than that,” added the Twitter user.
The outfits for Canada were also ridiculed by commentators following the unveiling of their closing ceremony uniforms — but for being too casual.
Featuring a jean jacket and white trousers, and created by Hudson's Bay and Levi's, Canada’s Olympians were described by one Twitter user as “the gang that comes after you if you say you tried watching Schitt’s Creek but couldn’t get into it”.
“I am screaming. This is Canada's closing ceremony fit. Cancel the Olympics,“ wrote another, adding: “if Canada isn't gonna wear jeans with those jackets they should just forget the whole concept.”
Another wrote: “Jean Jackets. I wish I was joking”.
The controversy follow’s consternation among Republicans over Team USA’s outfits for the London 2012 Olympics, for being manufactured in China.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments