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AOC defends Chinese-made Olympic uniforms

When Australia's athletes march into London's Olympic stadium in July they will be donning uniforms made in China.

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But the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) says it was not financially viable for the uniform's manufacturer to make the outfits at home.

The Sportscraft uniforms, which were unveiled in Sydney on Thursday, feature green jackets with white slacks for men and white knee length skirts for women and white Dunlop volley shoes.

When asked why the AOC had not supported the Australian manufacturing industry and chosen outfits made in China, President John Coates said: "We didn't spend any money, they were a sponsor and they provided this and we had no one else of that quality come forward."

"All of the leading designs ... are being manufactured overseas at the moment and the apparel group is not on its lonesome on that," he told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

While not manufactured on Australia's shores, he said the uniforms still included touches from home.

"The design was done here and it's going to be sold here.

The new threads have sparked some criticism that athletes look less like Olympians and more like lawn bowlers.

But many of the athletes who are sporting the look, said they were pleased to have had a say in the design and thought the uniforms were a winner.


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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