By Daniel Etchells

Rio 2016 pioneer volunteers model the 361° uniforms for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing ©Rio 2016Rio 2016 has announced Chinese sportswear maker 361° as an official supporter of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.


The company will provide more than 106,500 uniforms for technical staff and volunteers, including those for test events and the Torch Relay.

"With the responsibility of supplying uniforms to the volunteers and staff, which are extremely important groups for us and for the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are confident that 361° will do a great job in our challenge of delivering excellent and memorable Games," said Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman.

Before signing the agreement, Rio 2016 spent a year evaluating the production and sustainability standards of the company.

Brazilian volleyball star Giba was at the Rio 2016 headquarters for the announcement ©Rio 2016Brazilian volleyball star Giba was at the Rio 2016 headquarters for the announcement
©Rio 2016



Production of the Rio 2016 uniforms will commence in 2015 with the launch coming in the year of the Games.

"Our group has long been seeking a partnership and there couldn't be a better time to achieve this goal," said 361° chief executive Wuhao Ding.

"This is a milestone in our history and we are very happy that everyone will have the opportunity to get to know our brand and products in the country."

Founded in 2003 and based in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, 361° has already sponsored various competitions in Asia, including the Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014 Asian Games and the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

The company name denotes 360 degrees of a protractor circle plus one extra degree, representing its goal of establishing this brand to meet athlete's need for professional functionality, plus an added degree of innovation and creativity.

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