Winners and Losers of the Olympic Fashion Competition

 JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: It's here! The XXXIIII (34th) Olympiad, a number which leads me to believe the IOC is still only counting my every four years, despite revamping the schedule to alternate summer and winter games. Mark my words, they'll be adding fall and spring games any year now. Can't leave any of that sweet, sweet broadcasting rights money on the table.

Will Americans crash the Parisian electrical grid with their massive A/C units? Will swimmers get disgusting infections from racing in the Seine? I have no idea. So let's turn from questions to opinions, and get judgy with it: "it" being various countries' opening ceremony (wasn't it amazing?) and competition uniforms. Who better to give a critique than an out-of-shape, couch-bound old lady whose only athletic pastimes (skiing, running) wrecked her knees? (Links to original tweets in the country names.)

United States of America

Classic Americana. Not really fashion-forward, but attractive and looks good on all everyone. You can imagine the athletes wearing these in years to come.

Canada

Oh, Canada.

"New Canadian Olympic uniforms made from real Alberta beef."

Jamaica

 These competition kits are flat-out awesome. Body-conscious without being gratuitously sexy (calling you out, Nike "hoo-hah" uniforms,) great color placement for a sometimes difficult color combo (see Australia, below) these are definitely in the top ten this year.

Australia

Oz's official colors are green and gold, but you can't fool me, that's just yellow. Nice use of teal instead of bright green, and the designs are very down under - breezy and casual, with a hint of British influence. But those skirts! Especially the unfortunate one second from the left. It looks like this poor woman has wandered away from her caretakers and had an accident.

South Korea

 I'm not sure how I feel about South Korea's entry. It's exactly the same for men and women, which is kind of cool, and it's a beautifully draped summer suit. Once you know about the origin of the belt, you can say, "Okay, I get it." But that gorgeous silk lining is wasted hidden on the inside!

Spain

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The curse of yellow strikes again - what is with these deeply unflattering skirts? The designer may be channeling the carnation for inspiration, but it just looks like not-very-creative tie-dye to me.

Malaysia

You don't have to read Malaysian to understand what this tweet is saying. Remember the blog we did on TEMU? It looks like the team ordered their uniforms and the mannequins used to display them from there. Hope they got free shipping.

France

I'm going to have to agree with the chief fashion critic of the NY Times. France. You had ONE job. You're the host this year, and you're the fashion capitol of the world. Okay, you had TWO jobs.

Nigeria

Going out on a high note - Nigeria, already becoming a player on the international fashion stage, has hit the ball out of the parc with these looks. Maybe Canada ought to look into hiring Actively Black for the next games? Just sayin'.

What do you think, dear readers?  Which uniforms strike your fancy? What have I left out?

Are You Ready for the Olympics?

DEBORAH CROMBIE:  How is it time for the Olympics again? 

Even though the Olympics switched to alternating the Winter and Summer Games in 1994 with the Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway (although the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France were held only two years before Lillehammer) I had too many years of expecting the Olympics to roll around every four years, and my brain still hasn't managed to reset itself. (Moving the 2020 Summer Games to 2021 didn't help!) I do like the two-year system, however. Winter and Summer Games in the same year were a bit of an overload--two years seems just long enough to get excited again. 

But, yes, it is time for the (testing your Roman numeral skills here) XXXIII Olympic Games, and in Paris to boot!

 

Although I live in a non-sports-watching household (I have to force my husband to watch the Superbowl) I love watching the Olympics. Favorite sports are (of course) gymnastics, rowing, equestrian, track, swimming, and diving, but I find I will watch just about anything once I am into the Olympic groove. (Rugby yesterday, although I really have no idea what's going on.) (Oops, maybe I shouldn't admit my ignorance since I write British novels...)

This will be the 3rd time in the history of the Games that Paris has hosted the Olympics.

But I suspect things are considerably more complicated now than they were in 1900 or 1924. The logistics of these games are amazing! Did you know there are over 10,000 athletes?? There will be 329 events across 39 sports. (Breakdancing, anyone? I'm up for it!)

There is a 3,500 seat restuarant. How will that even work? Where did they put all the visitors?

And, of course, there are the Opening Ceremonies, which will for the first time in the history of Games be held outside of a stadium. Instead, the Parade of Nations will take place on the River Seine. (Not talking about sewage, not talking about sewage...If the mayor can swim in it...)

Tomorrow night I'll be settled in front of the big screen TV with my popcorn, ready for the spectacle. How about you?

Bonus question: Who has been to the Games? I'd love to have made the 2012 Olympics in London, but couldn't swing it. But here are the 23 rowers from Leander Club chosen as part of this year's team GB rowing contingent. (Sorry, team USA, but you know who I'm rooting for on this one.)

Bonus question 2: Pay attention to the uniforms. Julia will have a pop quiz for you next week!

Bonus question 3: Favorite Olympic moment? Mine might have to be the from the 2012 Opening Ceremonies in London (although it makes me a little teary now.)