By Nick Butler

Sportscraft have been announced as the Official Supplier for the Australian team at Rio 2016Lifestyle brand Sportscraft has been announced as Official Supplier of Australian uniforms at the Rio 2016 Olympics, marking the seventh Games in which they have served this role.


The company, owned by Australian fashion giant APG&Co, first supplied Olympic kit for Atlanta 1996 before being re-appointed for the Turin 2006 Winter Games.

They have performed the role for the four subsequent Games - in Beijing, Vancouver, London and Sochi - with their strikingly green uniforms worn at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012 widely praised by athletes and onlookers.

At Rio 2016, they will supply kit for the Opening Ceremony, along with other formal uniforms for a team seeking to improve upon 10th position on the London 2012 medals table.

The process to design the uniform is already underway, with the final product expected to be revealed in mid-2016, before being worn for the first time at the Opening Ceremony of the first Games to be held in a South American city, on August 5.

"We very much appreciate Sportscraft's partnership with the team once again and it is exciting to know this iconic brand with such a strong Australian heritage is dressing our team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Australian Rio 2016 Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller.

"The Opening Ceremony uniform designed by Sportscraft for London 2012 had a very positive impact among our athletes and I know the team will be enormously proud to wear the uniforms they design for Rio."

Australia's Sportscraft designed kit worn at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012 was widely praised ©Getty ImagesAustralia's Sportscraft designed kit worn at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012 was widely praised ©Getty Images



Chiller, who competed in the modern pentathlon at Sydney 2000, will be part of the Team Uniform Committee selecting the design, along with officials and fashion designers as well as athletes, including Beijing 2008 pole vault champion Steve Hooker.

"It is vital our athletes are involved in the design of the uniforms that our team wear at an Olympic Games and Sportscraft come to this partnership embracing that concept," Chiller said.

"It is a process that worked well for London 2012 and continues to work well for Rio 2016."

The announcement that Sportscraft's association with the Olympic team is continuing wields particular poignancy because the brand recently celebrated their centenary year.

This was marked by a "100 years of Australian lifestyle" campaign, sold in over 220 locations across the Oceanic country, with the Olympic kit seen as another way to boost their national appeal.

Athletes, including swimmer Michael Klim and Rugby World Cup winning captain Nick Farr-Jones, were among those who celebrated Sportcraft's 100 year anniversary in August ©SportscraftAthletes, including swimmer Michael Klim and Rugby World Cup winning captain Nick Farr-Jones, were among those who celebrated Sportcraft's 100 year anniversary in August ©Sportscraft



"It's with enormous pride and great honour that in Sportscraft's centenary year, we announce that we will once again partner as the Official Supplier of Opening Ceremony and Formal Uniforms to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team," said APG&Co chief executive Adrian Jones.

"What can be more Australian than collaborating and drawing on our heritage to design and outfit the Australian Olympic Team?"