Rio 2016 uniforms unveiled

“They were created in order to show the essence of Team Rio 2016, who is putting in their all to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games memorable.”

The uniforms that staff and volunteers will be wearing at Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games were unveiled on Thursday (12 May).

Each uniform’s predominant colour will identify the function of its user: red is for medical services, blue for the technical officials (who will also receive a formal uniform), yellow for the operational team and green for those that will interact directly with the public.

“Blue, for example, fits perfectly for the judges, as the competition areas are also blue,” said Games Services Manager Todd Severson.

“Similarly, green was chosen because the signage in the arenas will be the same colour. So, what we are saying to the spectators is ‘follow the green’.”

The uniform is comprised of a shirt, trousers (which can transform into shorts), a jacket, bag (which can be used as a wallet or waist pouch), socks, trainers and a raincoat.

Versatility is another important characteristic of the uniforms, and this was put to the test by dancers from the Companhia Urbana de Dança who, dressed in the Games uniforms, put on a dance show consisting of break dance, samba, contemporary, jazz and hip hop at the launch event.

Rio 2016 Brand Director Beth Lula said the uniforms “were inspired by our nature, by the energy of the Brazilian people and by the visual identity of Rio 2016.”

“They were created in order to show the essence of Team Rio 2016, who is putting in their all to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games memorable.”

Designed by the Rio 2016 design team and produced by 361º, official supplier to the Games, the uniforms are the result of more than two years’ work.

The Rio 2016 Games will take place during the southern hemisphere winter but temperatures can still be warm. The fabric will wick sweat away and protect from the wind, which means the clothes adapt to the cold just as much as to the heat. The trousers can transform into shorts with just a quick whizz of the zip.

“People have laughed about it, but the waist pouch is very useful for those that are constantly on the move and need to always have things like a radio or mobile phone to hand,” said Beth Lula. “Flexibility was our guide. Our staff will carry out multiple functions, there will be people working on foot, others in the office, in the arenas. We have thought about each one of them.”

In all, over two million items were produced for around 87,000 people that will make up the Rio 2016 workforce.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs).

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.