Sports

Team USA’s Olympic Uniforms Will Be Made in America…in 2014

Ralph Lauren Olympics Made in China

Team USA's Olympic uniforms will be made in America for the 2014 Winter Games, capping several days of controversy over the Chinese-made outfits for this month's London Games. (AP)

America’s Olympians will wear uniforms made in the USA, but not until 2014.

Designer Ralph Lauren and the U.S. Olympic Committee made the announcement Friday, capping several days of controversy after it emerged that Team USA will be attending the opening ceremony at the London Games in Chinese-made outfits.

(Related: ‘Maybe for Future Olympics, Those Kinds of Things Should Be Considered’: WH Won’t Condemn Chinese-Made Uniforms)

“With athletes having already arrived in London, and the apparel distribution process beginning this weekend, we are unfortunately not able to make a change for London,” USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement, according to CNN.

“We are absolutely committed, however, to working with our sponsors to ensure that the concerns voiced are addressed. To that end, Ralph Lauren has agreed to domestically manufacture Team USA’s apparel for Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games,” he said.

The Olympic committee initially defended the Chinese-manufactured uniforms, saying the U.S. team is “privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors. We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company.”

Many lawmakers have been up in arms about the outfits, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said earlier this week that the Olympic committee “should be ashamed of themselves” and “should take all the uniforms and put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.”

According to the Associated Press, Ralph Lauren has an Olympic apparel contract with the U.S. team through 2020. While initially declining to comment on the issue, the company said in a statement Friday it “promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government to address the issue to increase manufacturing in the United States.”

The 2014 Winter Games will be held in Sochi, Russia.

Comments (159)

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  • nosharia
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:30am

    boycott Ralph Lauren.

    Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:19pm

      DONE right NOW!

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:36pm

      The uniform looks like a flight attendent’s uniform

      {:^> when they were called stewardess.

      Report Post » spirited  
    • MittensKittens
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:18pm

      They say unfortunately they can’t make a change, BS! They could if it were important enough.

      Report Post » MittensKittens  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:23pm

      You couldn’t affor his stuff anyhow. No big whoop/

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:59pm

      Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lipschitz in the Bronx, New York, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, from Pinsk, Belarus. China or America. It makes no difference to those who believe in a one world kibbutz, commune. To the no nation is special. America is just another of the many.

      Report Post »  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 3:03pm

      I love POLO style and quality…but he’s big OBAMA supporter (hence the contract reaching way into the future) I say burn the bloody uniforms (especially the hats) and start over!!! BOOOOOOOO!!!!

      I sure hope they didn’t put any weird stuff in those Uniforms..seriously…. Bad start to the Olympics…. But of course Obama wants to be Dictator of the world so he can‘t understand why we don’t want our Olympic Uniforms made in China with French Berets….
      WATCH “2016” the movie.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • Rightsofman
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 3:04pm

      I will not watch American athletes compete disguised as Frenchmen and women but bring back the old straw skimmer or baseball cap (visor worn to the front) or the all American cowboy stetson and I wouldn’t feel so embarrassed for my country.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 4:50pm

      I find it ironic that the very people (politicians) that set the stage for the decision to make the uniforms in a foreign land in the first place, are upset. If these buffoons (politicians) were truly upset, then they would fix the taxation & regulatory practices that caused the economic condition in the first place. Companies are by definition capitalists, first and foremost. This means PROFIT is a major motivation; so make it possible to make a PROFIT in this country and I do believe companies will make ‘things’ in this country.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • svan71
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 5:57pm

      Falling like so ripe fruit. The Senate leader of the party that is seeing to it that this country collapses from debt is offended the Chinese maid our uniforms. AMAZING 1

      Report Post » svan71  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 6:29pm

      Ralph Lauren had nothing to do with it, It’s the Olympic committee…. ALL of Lauren’s clothes are made in China, I know, I have some.

      Ask Harry Reid why our American flag is made in China and I want the same outrage over that….

      Report Post » Want our country back  
    • wynnsjammer
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 6:53pm

      Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, notice both of these so called “Designers” wrap themselves around the United States Of America when most of there “Merchandise” is produced in every country but the “United States”. I’m sure Ralph Lauren being the “Intelligent” businessman that he is knew exactly where these uniforms were being produced but chose to see the color “Green” before the colors “Red, “White” and “Blue”. You can’t be angry at the “Chinese” when it’s an “American” choosing to deal with every country but its own. Again it comes back to the American businessman or woman. This is where “People” of the United States of America“ should start ”Boycotting” businesses that choose to go outside the USA for production of there merchandise. It really isn’t that hard to “Boycott” if the American People would only stick together. The same thing goes with “Companies” that hire “Illegal” immigrants and choose not to hire regular “Americans” born and raised in the good old USA. Another example of “Fraud” is “Chinamart”, excuse me I meant to say “Walmart”. I don‘t believe anything in Walmart is made in this country and yet Americans pour into the place for merchandise that doesn’t even last that long because it wasn’t built with the “Quality” that the “Old” United States used to produce. There selling you a product for a “Cheap” price only to have it break in a year or two especially electronics and the clothing isn’t to far behind. I d

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:00pm

      also….the “uniforms” look CHEAP…

      Report Post »  
    • mike_trivisonno
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 9:18am

      It is obvious Ralph Lauren is playing a joke on our athletes, our country, and our culture. To be seen in these is to be the butt of a bad joke by a loser named Ralph Loren.

      Oh well, I guess it is not so bad since no one even watches the Olympics anymore. So effin boring.

      Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
    • rickc34
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 9:18am

      Makes them look like little Gay Liberal soldiers, we will win because the other countries will be laughing so hard at these uniforms .

      Report Post »  
    • Shifty6
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 2:20pm

      WE DONT NEED LEGISLATION DANG IT!!!!!!! If you can’t figure out we should be purchasing our flags, military uniforms, and Olympic uniforms from the US, then you don’t need that job. How hard is it to figure out this stuff should be made in America?

      Report Post »  
  • watersRpeople
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:30am

    Sure they will.

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:34pm

      With open borders and the Visa granting to terrorist I’m sure the Chineese will gladly relocate to the U.S.

      Report Post »  
  • jettson
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:21am

    Who cares. The Olympics is BS anyway. You know that some al qaeda militant Islamist will be planning to kill people. I say stay away. USA stay home

    Report Post » jettson  
    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:32am

      ya, and i bet the uniforms will also be made at +783.27% of the origional cost of producing them in china…. tough decision… create jobs here, or get your products at a resonable price…. hummm mabey we should look at the costs on production here????

      Report Post » smokeysmoke  
    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:33am

      and mabey we should look into someone like HUGO BOSS to make our uniforms… did you know HUGO BOSS desigined the uniforms for the third reich…. I KNOW THEY LOOKED SO AWSOME as they stormed across eroupe F ing S up

      Report Post » smokeysmoke  
    • turkey13
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:43am

      They had to make them in China – 75% of that cost is Laurens cut for the privalige of him stooping to such a lowely job. If they were made here it would cost more with all the union kickbacks. The athletes due to the PC police couldn’t wear cowboy hats and t-shirts with the American flag. Most of the commies would relate the cowboy hat to G. Bushn from Texas.

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:16pm

      They should investigate which politicians were bribed to permit this. The Olympic commitee is wheeling and dealing with the kickback gang.

      Report Post »  
    • TrollBane
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 4:08pm

      I was also thinking of Hugo Boss heh, to counteract the lil’ commie look of these outfits.

      Report Post » TrollBane  
  • orlandojon
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:17am

    Ralph Lauren gave 38,000 to the democrat party recently

    Report Post »  
  • Old Truckers
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:17am

    Those hats…..embarrassing!

    Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • nosharia
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:28am

      The entire outfits are old fashioned and ugly.

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:12pm

      I agree look like a uniform for junior communists. In this ONE example Harry Reid is correct. A made in USA t-shirt, jeans and shoes of choice without hats. The clothes DO NOT matter. As Harry said “bonfire”.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:59am

    Put them all in loincloths and end this trivial BS. These are athletes not models for heavens sakes

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • agsb2
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:50am

    Its not too late, about 1000 t-shirts with UISA on the front will suffice along Levi’s ro Rangler and of course the team wearing cowboy boots along with cowboy hats

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:49am

    So much for Obama being for American “Workers”!!! Pppfffftttt!

    Report Post »  
    • PHB
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:54am

      Did you get the price of each set Men 1200.00 Women 800.00 for the set each? And what is the only thing on the blazer a polo sign!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:29pm

      That an excellent point.
      The logo should be a US Flag ~~>not a polo player.

      ;^> Ralph should pay the USA for each and every walking billboard !

      Report Post » spirited  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:48am

    NO! They will be made here NOW. Get jeans and denim shirts, cowboy hats or baseball caps; jackets from here, and let `er ride.

    AMERICANS, AMERICAN-MADE.

    screw the communists behind this clothing “malfunction”.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:39am

      Good ideas. What ever happened to Western wear ?

      Report Post »  
    • ReddenBlack
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 4:49pm

      @baber2

      heres a newsflash. A lot of people, LIKE ME, have worked really really really hard to not ever ever EVER have to go anywhere near a cowboy hat, or boot, or stupide “western wear.” No, people like me would like to dress like a civilized human being. If you want to look like trash, go do it at your house, but don’t represent my country looking like a redneck.

      Report Post » ReddenBlack  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 10:33am

      redd,

      Would you say that to John Wayne?

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
  • KeystoneState
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:45am

    Looks awfully military, like a prototype for the U.N.’s North American “Peace” keepers” unit. Since when did we start dudding up our athletes like the commies do anyway? It would be nice if ol Harry would be this stomping mad over the rest of everything else coming here from China! What a joke, I think I’m gonna go take a Harry, and wipe my Reid now!

    Report Post » KeystoneState  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:39am

    So, in 2014, America’s Olympic athletes will be the elite, chosen Americans who will be granted the privilege of wearing clothing made in the U.S.A. – Uh, what about the rest of us?

    Thanks to decades of anti-business, pro-union legislation from democrats LIKE obama and HARRY REID, the American textile industry, and our entire manufacturing sector, are DEAD. There was a time when the United States of America not only produced our own goods, but produced goods for much of the world – now, most of our consumer goods, and the world’s consumer goods, are produced by (OUR ENEMY) COMMUNIST CHINA. We will never regain our stature as a nation, and our true strength, until we once again can produce our own goods – this is a NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE – THIS IS A JOBS ISSUE – THIS IS A POINT OF NATIONAL PRIDE.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • malbro
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:31am

    Refuse to wear the hat…………….

    Report Post » malbro  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:49am

      That‘s my problem it isn’t so much where it is made (I would prefer that we would STOP killing our own businesses and let MORE be made in the USA, but the unions and democrats have killed the industry in the US)

      IT IS THAT THEY ARE UGLY AND CHEAP LOOKING (the prices paid not so much .. they WERE expensive) And that hat screams communists!

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 2:47pm

      CatB,should we “Look for the union label when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse”? Gets a tad expensive buying things from a retirement plan that happens to make clothing on the side.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • malbro
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:30am

    Ralph Loren is making American’s look like monkeys with that head dress…

    Report Post » malbro  
  • DrunkGOP_Hack
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:29am

    Ralph Laurens designs are old and tired.
    Same ol schtick.

    Time to Change from the blazer garb to say industrial, worker, strong man kinda thing.

    Like Devo, Coveralls and a ball cap. Beenies? bleh!

    Report Post » DrunkGOP_Hack  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:28am

    …
    This year’s uniforms look stupid and GAY.
    They make our athletes look weak and pathetic.

    Report Post »  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:39am

      Ditto!
      There is no pride in masculinity anymore.

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 10:39am

      Masculine men are getting hard to find these days. They are becoming socially unacceptable.

      Sad days are upon us.

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
  • malbro
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:27am

    What’s with the freekin baret……Change the uniform ….Talk about outsourceing..It starts with the little things….F… the baret …………….

    Report Post » malbro  
  • kryptonite
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:10am

    Best news I’ve heard in a long time. I guess Obama knows he won’t be around in 2014.

    Report Post »  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:18am

      Comrade would you perhaps wish to place a small wager on that one?
      When was the last time a Communist voluntarily released the reins of power?
      That will be the first time!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:28am

      Is the white house saying, “those damn unions make it to costly
      to make that French looking crap in the United Socialist States of
      America”?

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 2:29am

      @HISTORYGUY
      No, you’d win hands down. I was being sarcastic.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 2:38am

      @YOUGOTTABEKIDDING
      Barack knows that’s the truth, but the d@mn Occupied WH is having a love affair with the d@mn unions.

      Report Post »  
  • JustJason
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:10am

    This is stupid. Yeah trade wars are good for an economy. What if the rest of the world said we are not going to our offices in USA or buy USA.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:08am

    Gosh, that Harry Reid is a real hero! He’s always got his eye on the important stuff. No more Chinese uniforms, but full support for the POTUS selling America to China one chunk at a time.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Tankertony
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:24am

      Heheheh…..ol‘ Dingy Harry said put em’ in a pile and burn em’…..heheheh

      Report Post » Tankertony  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:46am

      Lest anyone forget … about this brave man .. that Reid is REFUSING to help….

      As you may know, Dr. Afridi is facing a 33-year prison sentence for aiding the CIA in the successful mission that led to the death of Osama Bin Laden.

      Pakistan is supposedly our ally in the war on terror.

      Yet when this courageous doctor assisted our military in hunting down the man behind the mass murder of over 3,000 American citizens, Pakistan’s government fabricated charges to jail Dr. Afridi.

      There is an (Rand Paul) amendment to strip Pakistan of all foreign aid unless Dr. Afridi is released from prison on July 20.

      This up or down vote will force every senator on the record, and will draw a line between those who stand with the taxpayers and those who wish to continue a policy of looking the other way as the world’s worst governments subvert America’s objectives.

      But Harry Reid has blocked a vote on this amendment in the past and is likely to run interference again.

      There is a petition demanding the Senate vote on the amendment to end Pakistan freeloading off the American taxpayer while working against America’s objectives.

      http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/ct/9147395:12554616860:m:1:360486342:9FFAD0C0C439F0E1E42D09B722770E3A:r

      I don’t know if signing will help .. but it won’t hurt.

      Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:06am

    Well I will be shrugging off this Olympics. Have been backing off over the years anyway and only caught a few events last Summer Olympics. Why should I watch the commercials of advertisers that sponsor a team that can’t be cloethed using an American upholster? Have cable and there’s way too many other things that I can choose to watch other then the Olympics. Really like Ninja Warrior much more anyway. lol

    :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
    • thekuligs
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:18am

      The way I view it is, those American kids worked hard to get where they are and I am supporting them by watching. As far as the sponsors go, I doubt the majority of them were privy to the fact that the uniforms were made in China before we were. People might not like Coke and McDonalds but they are global bussinesses that started thanks to the American dream.

      Report Post » thekuligs  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:35pm

      I’m going to watch. Maybe the coverage will be the same as the 1972 Olympics. It doesn’t look good! We keep sending money to the muslim countries to support terrorism.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:05am

    Wow. What a shock. Clothing made in China ?? Gosh, Harry , who could have ever questioned the manufacturing process when these uniforms were initially ordered ?? My, oh, my. ( and these ever-campaigning Democrat idiots are running our government after 9/11 ?? ouch )

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:00am

    While our Far Left Obama Democrats destroy the unified fabric of America, they quibble over Olympic uniforms. They ” are the 99%” for sure : the 99% hypocritical and destructive Democrats . Hidden records. Hidden agendas. Covered up by their Lap Dog Media protectors.

    Report Post »  
  • DoomsdayProphet
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:58am

    What isn’t made in China or somewhere else in Asia? Isn’t a big surprise, next the reports will be O’bama is half black.

    Report Post »  
  • MBA
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:54am

    That is just plain stupid. Why give the contract back to the sleazy person who made this boneheaded decision in the first place. He had his chance and totally showed his contempt and disrespect for this country. No more Olympic money for lauren.

    Report Post »  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:03am

      Absolutely right! I thought the same thing when I read Lauren was getting the contract again. Hopefully things will change by the next Olympics and someone with a heart for this country will have the contract.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • NOTAMUSHROOM
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:52am

    Hate the beenies. I loved the cowboy hats a few years ago.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:16am

      Be grateful they’re not rainbow uniforms. I wouldn’t put it past them.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:54am

      Gonzo- Don’t give them any ideas. Next thing you know the entire power lifting and wrestling teams will be marching through Olympic stadium with high heels and champagne flutes.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 8:28pm

      Our ‘cowboy’ image is an international joke.
      Cowboy = warmonger = treasury drainer = country collapser.
      YAHOOOOOOOO! Bring ‘em on!

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
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