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A wide range of adaptive and inclusive designs, layering and insulation, and a giant Maple Leaf.
It’s all part of the Team Canada athlete kits from Lululemon, the organization’s official outfitter, unveiled Tuesday for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics in Milan Cortina.
“In collaboration with Canada’s top athletes, we’ve applied insights and learnings from our last two Games to create a kit with deeper focus on innovation and inclusion, while delivering both function and style,” Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald said in a news release.
For two years, the Vancouver-based athleisure company worked closely with Canadian Olympians Will Dandjinou (speed skating), Piper Gilles (figure skating), Cassie Sharpe (freestyle skiing), Natalie Wilkie (Para skiing) and others to understand their unique needs during their Olympic and Paralympic journey.
Sharpe gushed over the bright red podium jacket, pointing out a swirling pattern that is actually a topographical map of Canada.
"I love that they've thought about putting the topographical map underneath. And then there's like a waterproof mesh layer over top," Sharpe told The Canadian Press, adding she also loved to see the zipper tag read "Canada" on one side and repeated in braille on the other side.
Design highlights include:
Thermoregulation: The kit is engineered with layering and insulation at the core to prepare athletes for the various temperatures and elements they will experience throughout the Games, ranging from city to top of mountain conditions.
Inclusivity: Driven by feedback from Paralympians, the kit features a range of adaptive and inclusive designs, including new adaptive footwear and seated-fit styles, abrasion-resistant fabrics, and features like braille and magnetic zippers.
Canadian pride: The kit tells the story of Canada by drawing inspiration from the country’s landscapes and environment, including a topographic map print, bold Maple Leaf designs, and colours ranging from deep red to iceberg-inspired greens and blues.
Elevated styling: Performance tailoring blends with modern silhouettes to create head-to-toe looks inspired by city style, featuring fabrics like merino wool, jacquard, and translucent glyde that elevate the Olympic and Paralympic uniform.
The opening ceremony look goes all-in on the iconic red leaf, but the symbol is reimagined in an oversized, stretched-out version that spans nearly the entire length of a maroon-coloured quilted vest, which is layered over a knee-length maroon jacket.
The leaf is not just big, it's "the biggest scale probably we've ever done and will ever do of the leaf," design director Catherine Lebrun told The Canadian Press.
“Canadian athletes are the best in the world, and it’s only fitting that they have the best-looking and most innovative team kit at the Games,” Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said.
“Lululemon has been an incredible partner of Team Canada [the past two Games], always understanding and putting the needs of athletes first in their design process and their entire approach to the partnership. We can’t wait to see this amazing kit on full display in Italy and back at home.”
Athletes, coaches, and support staff will show off the apparel during key Olympic and Paralympic moments, including the opening and closing ceremonies, medal ceremonies, media appearances, travel and in the Athletes Village.
So-called "cheer gear" that target the at-home fan looking to wear their patriotism include a double-sided cotton-knit scarf with "Canada" on one side and Maple Leaf on the other, a zippered waterproof cross-body bag and a merino wool-blend beanie, with 10 per cent of sales supporting the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Paralympic Foundation of Canada.
The Milan-Cortina Olympics run Feb. 6-22, followed by the Paralympics March 6-15.
Other Canada ambassadors for the Games:
Sidney Crosby (hockey)Cynthia Appiah (bobsleigh)Emma Maltais (hockey)Paul Poirier (figure skating)Tyler Turner (Para snowboard)The collection launches online Tuesday on the Lululemon website across Canada, and in select stores in Canada and Milan on Wednesday.
More apparel and accessories are to be released as the Games near.