Team USA reveals their 2018 Olympic opening ceremony uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren
In a little more than two weeks time, the entire world will be brought together for the 2018 Winter Olympics. PyeongChang's plan for the worldwide competition features one of the most "compact" plans in Olympic history -- with equally as impressive uniforms to match.
Just earlier this week, Team USA debuted their opening ceremony uniforms, complete with patriotic red, white and blue parkas designed Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter of the U.S. team at the 2018 Games. And to help the American athletes brave South Korea's bitter winter, the jackets are all designed with heating components inside. It's a feature that has never before been included.
"Ralph Lauren has effortlessly woven style and functionality into the opening ceremony uniform for the 2018 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams,” explained U.S. Olympic Committee chief marketing officer Lisa Baird. "The revolutionary design will keep American athletes warm as they proudly walk through the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony."
RELATED: See more of the designs
The built-in heating system features three different settings and can be activated with a push of the button. According to reports, it's made from "electronic printed conductive inks, printed into the shape of an American flag in carbon and silver ink,” and included in both the parkas and the bombers.
The team uniform also includes a wool hat, gloves, jeans, a sweater and mountaineering boots with red lace. All parts of the uniform were designed and made in America.
“At Ralph Lauren we’re always trying to celebrate the American spirit, but we also want to have a point of view. The red, white, and blue sensibility is something we believe in, but we also wanted to reinvent that sensibility for the modern spirit of today’s athletes,” explained the team behind Ralph Lauren.
In 2012, the committee faced backlash after it was revealed Team USA's Olympic uniforms were created in China.
Related: See Team USA
