The meanings behind Australia’s new Olympic uniform explained – including why it has a very JAPANESE flavour
- Australian Olympic team kit unveiled for the Paris Games
- Uniforms feature native print and Japonisme yagasuri
- Yagasuri is a nod to ASICS’ Japanese heritage
Australia’s top athletes have donned the new national uniform, just months away from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The world is counting down to the most anticipated event on the sporting calendar, with the Games starting in France from July 26.
This latest edition of the green-hand-gold robe has been designed in collaboration between sports performance brand ASICS and the Australian Olympic Committee.
Sports stars including Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams and Rugby 7s player Maurice Longbottom converged on Yurong Point – also known as Mrs Macquarie Chair – in Sydney’s Botanic Gardens on Thursday.
ASICS Oceania director Mark Brunton said: ‘We see the Australian Olympic Games with great pride Team once again dons ASICS uniforms as they prepare to represent our nation on a global stage.”
Australia’s Olympic team kit for the Paris Games was unveiled in Sydney on Thursday – and fans were left scratching their heads over one element of the design
Each uniform features green and gold color, indigenous print and Japanese arrow patterns (pictured, Australian rugby star Maurice Longbottom modeling the new strip)
Each part of the uniform features the country’s iconic green and gold color scheme, and two prints designed by First Nations artist and 2008 Olympic boxer Paul Fleming, as well as Torres Strait artist David Bosun.
“The center piece represents a meeting place because the Olympic Games bring together people of all colors, religions and backgrounds from all over the world all fighting for the same goal,” Mr. Fleming said of his print.
“Everyone essentially becomes ‘one’, we are all athletes and it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
The uniform also features a nod to ASIC’s Japanese heritage with a traditional Yagasuri arrow pattern.
The arrow symbolizes the forward momentum – which the Australian team hopes to have towards and during the Paris Games.
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 Anna Meares said the uniform looks “fantastic”.
“So many iconic Australian sporting moments took place in ASICS kit at the Tokyo Olympics, and I can’t wait to see the new sporting history that Australian athletes will create in these uniforms in Paris,” she said.
Australian Olympic Rugby Sevens star Maurice Longbottom echoed Anna’s sentiment, saying: “It fills me with immense pride to represent my country on the world stage, in a uniform that incorporates indigenous designs to showcase our rich cultural heritage and our to unite as one.’
The Japanese arrow patterns, known as yagasuri, are a nod to the heritage of ASICS – the Japanese clothing brand that produces the Aussies’ gear
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place on July 26
When developing the uniform, the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS) took into account the temperature and weather conditions athletes will face in Paris.
As a result, the uniforms feature advanced ventilation technology specifically optimized for the Summer Olympics.
More than 460 athletes are expected to represent Australia in 30 sports at the Olympic Games in July.