Nike, USOC Reveal Medal Stand Outfits

Nike, USOC Reveal Medal Stand Outfits

By Elizabeth Grimsley

Apparel and footwear that the athletes representing Team USA will wear on the medal podium in London was announced Thursday. "Nike has developed a groundbreaking concept for U.S. athletes on the medal stand in London with innovative looks and thoughtful details that speak to American pride," said USOC Managing Director of Consumer Products and Licensing Peter Zeytoonjian. "At the pinnacle moment in their drive for Olympic and Paralympic greatness, our athletes will be outfitted in the most revolutionary and eye-catching Nike products."

Nike and the United States Olympic Committee revealed three outfits for the athletes of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic teams, but certain outfits will be worn by different sports. However, all U.S. Olympic team members will receive all three. "The medal stand is a pinnacle moment for these athletes," said Global Creative Director, Martin Lotti. "The world is watching and we want to make sure the athlete looks and feels good in celebration of their achievement."

The 2012 Olympic gymnastics team will be outfitted in the  Nike 21^st C. Windrunner, Nike Bowerman Tech Pant and Nike Flyknit Trainer+ look (left):

• Modeled after a sportswear staple, the "windrunner," the Nike 21^st C. Windrunner is detailed with its trademark V-shaped chevron across the chest, dotted with ventilation perforations across the back and finished off with a hyper-reflective shell that burns bright under the most subtle lights. Serving function and aesthetic, the "United States of America" is applied with precision laser technology, while the lower back is detailed with 50 perforations - one for each state. A badge on the inside of the jacket, placed over the heart, reads "Team USA."
• A departure from the way Nike has produced footwear for the past 40 years, the new Nike Flyknit Trainer+ injects the DNA of a sock with strength and durability. The revolutionary upper is knitted yarn and fabric variations for a formfitting and virtually seamless shoe weighing only 7.7 ounces.

Alongside gymnastics, medalists from other sports such as diving, rowing, swimming, beach volleyball, track & field, and tennis– among others– will wear this outfit.

If you want to see the 2012 Olympic gymnastics team wear their new Nike footwear and apparel on the medal stand, subscribe to Inside Gymnastics magazine for full coverage of the 2012 Olympics http://www.subscribeig.com or join the conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/insidegymnastics & Twitter @insidegym.

Photo by Nike, USOC

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