Uniform flashback: The varied style choices of London 2012
It’s a moment every athlete dreams of: walking into the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
On Tuesday, for the first time ever, Team Canada’s uniform is unveiled prior to that life-changing moment.
With so many directions an Opening Ceremony kit can go, here’s a look at some of the style choices worn at the last summer Games at London 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnPqFq1lIGg
If you want to just check out the highlights, times are below for all of the listed nations.
Put Your Name On It!
Two-time triathlon medallist Simon Whitfield bears the flag for team Canada during the opening ceremonies to the 2012 London Olympics, on July 27, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, COC – Jason Ransom
Don’t want anyone to mistake you for another nation? Wear the name proudly across your chest, like Canada (18:27) or Georgia (35:30).
Literally Draped in the Flag
It’s always fun when a nation’s flag gets incorporated fully into the uniform, as with Argentina (4:11), Burkina Faso (check out the hats at 16:35!), Kiribati (48:05), Liberia (51:01), Nepal (1:00:05), Solomon Islands (1:15:45), South Africa (1:16:21), Trinidad and Tobago (1:23:45).
All About the Flagbearer
Some nations put all their focus on the athlete out front, singling them out with incredible traditional costuming while everyone else wears a suit or athletic wear. Among the highlights from London 2012 were Chile (20:34), Fiji (32:50), Kazakhstan (47:00), Lesotho (50:43), Mongolia (57:10), Palau (1:03:45), and Tajikistan (1:21:40).
Colour, Colour and a Little More Colour
Some nations definitely believe that brighter is better. There was certainly no way of missing Bahrain (9:17), Germany (35:55), Malaysia (53:04), Mexico (55:29), Papua New Guinea (1:04:49), Togo (1:23:05) or Vanuatu (1:31:09).
Hello Yellow!
If you really don’t want to be missed, try something like Cuba (25:50), Guyana (39:17), India (42:02), Jamaica (45:35), Romania (1:08:24) or Senegal (1:12:30).
Off to Prep School
The athletes from Serbia (1:13:08), Sweden (1:19:43) and the United States (1:27:45) looked like they were more ready to hit the books than they were the field of play.
The Island Vibe
Who doesn’t love a good Hawaiian shirt, or whatever the equivalent might be from American Samoa (2:30), Cook Islands (the leis at 23:03!), Marshall Islands (54:16), Micronesia (56:00), or Tonga (1:23:28).
Awesome Africa
Similarly, some of the traditional African designs are just awe-inspiring, such as Burundi (17:01), Cameroon (18:06), Comoros (23:09), Djibouti (28:56), and Nigeria (1:01:54).
Perfect Patterns
Checkered jackets by Bulgaria (16:05). Plaid vests by Dominica (29:20). Leopard wraps by Rwanda (1:09:28).
What Were They Thinking?
There’s always a few that just boggle the mind. Like the Czechs and their shiny blue rubber boots and bedazzled jackets (26:52). And it’s a matter of taste as to whether you like Estonia’s metallic look (32:07). Or the Finns and their zebra-ish jackets (33:23).
Wear What You Want to Win
There’s something to be said for the Brits’ choice at home (1:33:57). Nothing wrong with a little touch of gold!
