Ralph Lauren have unveiled the Opening Ceremony parade uniforms to be worn by US athletes ©USOC

A special flagbearers jacket and official uniforms for the Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016 next week have been unveiled today by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) in conjunction with fashion giants Ralph Lauren.

The jacket, billed as having a "groundbreaking new apparel concept", was first shown by two-time Olympic kayaker and Sydney 2000 flagbearer Cliff Meidl on the NBC Today show.

Polo Ralph Lauren’s commemorative glowing Flag Bearer Jacket is the ultimate integration of innovation, fashion and technology," a USOC statement claimed. 

"The jacket was exclusively designed for the flag bearers of the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

"Electroluminescent panels brightly illuminate individual elements of the Flag Bearer Jacket, spotlighting an elegant combination of classic American tailoring out of New York with innovative apparel technology developed in Silicon Valley."

The parade uniform is billed as being "fresh and sporty, with classic elements".

It features an "all-American palette of red, white and blue". 

Athletes will wear a deep navy blazer complemented by gold buttons, repp-stripe trim and a signature embroidered Polo Pony. 

"Classic boat shoes" will be another feature, alongside "striped cotton bracelets and navy grosgrain belts". 

United States athletes display their Opening Ceremony uniforms for Rio 2016, including the special flagbearers one sported by Cliff Meidl, right ©Ralph Lauren/Twitter
United States athletes display their Opening Ceremony uniforms for Rio 2016, including the special flagbearers one sported by Cliff Meidl, right ©Ralph Lauren/Twitter

“The flagbearer jacket will literally light the way for Team USA as they represent our country in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games," said David Lauren, executive vice-president, global advertising, marketing & communications of Ralph Lauren.

"This groundbreaking jacket exemplifies Ralph Lauren’s continued exploration of the intersection of fashion and technology. 

"For an athlete, being chosen as the flagbearer for Team USA is an extraordinary honour, and we wanted to pay tribute to that position.

“Ralph Lauren is incredibly proud to dress America’s best and brightest athletes at the world’s premier sporting event.”

Ralph Lauren, who have been the US official outfitter since 2008 have also launched a "Like to Light" social media campaign today in which they will donate $1 (£0.76/€0.89) to the USOC "Team for Tomorrow" development programme for every post shared of liked on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using the #LiketoLight hashtag.

USOC are expected to announce their flagbearer by August 4, the eve of the Opening Ceremony at the Maracanã stadium.