2016 Australian Paralympic Team uniform unveiled

“It is our hope that this uniform will further connect each athlete to our team and our history, and provide a stronger sense of identity as we strive for a common goal.”

The Australian Paralympic Team uniform for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was officially unveiled on Tuesday (7 June) at Sydney’s Doltone House, with 21 Paralympic athletes on hand to model the range.

The uniform features ceremonial wear designed by iconic Australian brand R.M. Williams, as well as competition and casual wear by leading sports performance brand 2XU, which incorporates an Indigenous artwork by Indigenous design studio Balarinji. The racing suits by Speedo were also revealed.

“It is our hope that this uniform will further connect each athlete to our team and our history, and provide a stronger sense of identity as we strive for a common goal,” Chef de Mission of the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team Kate McLoughlin said.

As Australia’s leading high performance sports brand and a world leader in high performance wear, 2XU has joined the Australian Paralympic Team for the third successive Games campaign.

“The 2XU competition and casual range captures the spirit and history of our country. The design pattern artwork designed by Balarinji carries the meaning of ‘landmark, presence on country’ giving our 2016 athletes identity and purpose,” McLoughlin said.

“The connected circles express the strength of shared intent and the strings of dots depict dynamic energy.”

For 2XU, the goal was simple: create world leading technical, casual and compression apparel whose performance integrity would not be compromised in the tailoring process.

“Our one aim in creating the uniforms for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Team was to create garments that would excel against any athlete in the world,” said Mike Keeley, 2XU Global Teamwear & Institutional Business Manager.

“In this way we have the same goal as the athletes themselves, which makes the partnership a natural fit.”

The ceremonial uniform designed by R.M Williams Executive Designer Jonathan Ward features a sky blue blazer paired with the iconic Milton long sleeve shirt, washed chinos in variances of green, gold and ochre, with a navy suede belt. Differing slightly, the Closing Ceremony uniform includes a striped polo shirt paired and washed chino shorts in the same colour palate.

The Speedo suits are green and gold pattern on a black suit, which will be worn with pride as Australia’s swimmers pursue gold in Rio.

The uniform was proudly modelled today by some of Australia’s leading Paralympic athletes including 2016 Team co-captains Kurt Fearnley (athletics) and Daniela Di Toro (table tennis), as well as Kate Doughty, Nic Beveridge (triathlon), Kyle Bridgwood, Jessica Gallagher, Alexandra Lisney, Amanda Reid (cycling), Amanda Reynolds (canoe), Andrew Edmondson (wheelchair rugby), Torita Isaac, Brad Scott, Rheed McCracken, Jayden Sawyer, Brenden Hall, Ahmed Kelly, Maddison Elliott (swimming), Sam von Einem (table tennis), Kathleen Murdoch and Jeremy McGrath (rowing).