Does anyone know why so many athletes had differing uniforms within their country? I know swimming ones would differ in length and what was covered up, but a lot of them were different colors and fabrics. Also, the track and diving ones were all different too. Didn’t they all used to have the same unis in Sydney and anyone know what the policy is now?
Because Rulon Gardner wouldn’t look so hot in Misty May’s beach volleyball uniform.
The uniforms that an athlete wears in competition is typically supplied by the uniform supplier/sponsor to that sport’s national federation. I can only speak for Canada but here are some examples:
Athletics( Track & Field) - Nike
Triathlon - Speedo
Cycling - Louis Garneau
Even if an athlete is personally sponsored by, one sponsor, say a runner by addidas, they must wear the uniform supplied by Nike in competition.
In Olympic years, the $$$ value of these uniform sponosrships can get quite high, because for some athletes in some sports, it is really the only time in four years that they can get any exposure in the main-stream media. However, you can get the odd situation of, the runner above sponsored by adiddas, who is paid well by addidas, coming across the finishline in a big picture in a magazine such as Sports Illustrated( ie huge exposure) in a waist up shot, wearing a Nike uniform!!