At the next Olympics, the team from the USA will wear uniforms made in the USA.
Designer Ralph Lauren announced Friday that the uniforms it provides the U.S. Olympic team at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, will, in fact, be made in the United States.
The U.S. uniforms for the London Games were made in China, which sparked congressional criticism of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the USOC should be “ashamed of themselves” and Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., called the decision “not just outrageous, it’s just plain dumb. It is self-defeating.”
Ralph Lauren initially declined comment on the criticism, but 24 hours later announced clothes for future Olympics would be made in the United States.
It’s too late to change anything for the 530 American athletes in time for the London Games, which start July 27. The uniforms for Opening Ceremony will remain as planned — blue blazer, cream-colored pants for men and skirts for women and a blue beret with red and white stripes.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who along with Israel wrote a letter to the USOC chairman Larry Probst complaining about the situation, released a statement after hearing Friday’s news.
“When America’s best athletes are representing our country on the world stage, we should be representing the best of American-made goods,” she wrote. “The pride of our Olympic athletics goes hand in hand with the pride of American innovation and manufacturing. While I am greatly disappointed our athletes will not be dressed head to toe in Made in the USA this year, I thank the USOC and Ralph Lauren for hearing our voices and working to correct this mistake going forward. I look forward to cheering on Team USA.”
The USOC did not have an immediate comment. On Thursday, it defended the choice of Ralph Lauren, saying it was grateful for the support from an “iconic American company.”
Sigh…I’m so glad there are no big problems in this world…in this country. It leaves room for or government representatives to write scathing letters about uniforms. Where were they when they were being made ? Did anyone think to ask when RL was given the task ? Where is all the outrage when children in our very own country are coming to school hungry, or ANYTHING else of significance ! For goodness sake, just move on and start figuring out how we can charge lots of money for the winter uniforms that will be made here now that feet have been held to the fire.
Yeah and it’s impossible to think about more than one thing at once.
For the record…I hate them too. They look like children that parents dress up nice and cute like a little sailor. But I am not gonna watch for the uniforms so I will be able to control my outrage.
I wonder if the winter ones will also feature the Lauren logo prominently?
Supposedly this is the FOURTH time that Lauren has made uniforms for the Olympians. He knew better then, and he knows better now. Many in the USA feel that China pretty much owns most of this country already and to have our team’s uniforms made in China was a severe slap in the face.
whatever, put an american made tshirt on them now with usa written in marker and made in USA Jeans and it will still be far more patriotic, time to stand our ground
guess we get what we deserve and pay for we sold our selves short years ago,,,, free trade agreement, what do we expect, we cant have it both ways I guess
Good thing congress has nothing better to do….Are we really going to flip out about this when pretty much everything we own is made somewhere else…..and we wonder why there is a lack of jobs in the US….we’ve given them all away for the sake of getting a “good deal” Not such a great deal now…huh?
Good example of what is wrong with this country.
Here’s how much the uniforms cost:Men: Beret – $55Tie – $125 Belt – $85 Shirt – $425 Blazer – $795 Trousers – $295 Shoes – $165
Women: Beret – $55 Scarf – $58 Belt – $85 Shirt – $179 Skirt – $498 Blazer – $598
For once Harry Reid got it right…burn them.
Is this like the sign at your favorite bar. “Free Beer, tomorrow”…
No next time! Better to destroy the uniforms and allow the team to wear anything made in the USA.
Lose the beret and bring back the Cowboys hats
Billionaire Ralph Lauren is a long time Democrat donor to Obama and the Democrat National Committee.