Ralph Lauren Named Official Outfitter for Olympic Games

Team USA's decidedly "informal" outfits at the 2006 Olympic Games.Photo: Getty Images

Ralph Lauren has been named the official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic Team for the Beijing Summer Games. The brand will create all of the outfits for the athletes, including those for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as their off-duty grab for hanging out in Olympic Village.

The deal signals a stylish upgrade for the athletes who, in previous years, wore decidedly "too informal" outfits from Roots--a company that isn't based in the U.S. but in Canada. Call me crazy, but athletes representing the U.S. should wear American clothes, no? By choosing Ralph Lauren, the marquee name in fashion that is synonymous with American style, the men and women will look better than ever (See sketch, courtesy of Ralph Lauren)!

According to Fashion Week Daily:

"At the Olympic Village and at closing ceremonies, athletes will wear a wardrobe of V-neck tennis sweaters and ties, Polo mesh shirts with the word "Beijing" written in oversized Chinese characters, and cargo pants. The color scheme will be a patriotic palette of red, white, and blue. Polo ponies will also make an appearance on the garments. Additionally, the Olympic logo featured on the new uniforms may include a replica of a crest with stars and stripes used by the 1932 U.S. Olympic team at the Los Angeles Games."

This is not the first time that Ralph Lauren has contributed to major sporting events. The brand is also the official outfitter for the U.S. Open and the polo shirts with oversized pony logos were one of the most coveted items during tennis season.

While Ralph Lauren has only signed on to outfit athletes for the Games in Beijing, the brand has the option to extend the deal for the Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010 and Summer Games in London in 2012.

[FWD]