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Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
The 2024 Olympics are quickly approaching, and I’m ready for my personal favorite pastime: judging the uniforms. Team USA will likely get a 10/10 from me since, for the ninth time, Polo Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. The brand, known for its chic Americana that screams luxury, is dressing Team USA for the opening and closing ceremonies and providing everyone with ample clothing to wear around the village.
The opening look for Team USA includes a navy blazer with red-and-white stitching and a classic Polo emblem on one breast and the USA logo on the other. As for the bottoms, it’s blue jeans all the way. If it feels too casual, consider how easy it’ll be to re-create as a Halloween costume. The real star of the show comes out in the brand’s assortment of clothing for villagewear, which includes classics like American flag–adorned sweatshirts and sweatpants and some newer designs like a navy-blue exercise dress, white pleated tennis skirt, and a knit sweater vest. Yes, that’s right. Everyone is repping the USA all the time, and everything will be available for the public, including a mini-line for the brand’s beloved coffee chain, Ralph’s Coffee. (Coffee always deserves a gold medal.)
Earlier this year, Polo brought together its group of ambassadors — a mix of 15 Olympic and Paralympic athletes including Katie Ledecky, Shilese Jones, Jessica Long, Roderick Townsend, Jagger Eaton, Chiaka Ogbogu, Daniela Moroz, Jeffrey Louis, and Melissa Stockwell — at a huge studio in Sunset Park to capture the collection. In between takes, I stopped a few athletes to ask them about their favorite Olympic village memories.
Chiaka Ogbogu, Volleyball
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
On her favorite village memory: “We spent a lot of time outside of our dorm tower in Tokyo. There were grassy areas with beanbags and lawn chairs, and every evening it would cool down, and we would hang out talking and playing card games. One of my teammates plays the ukulele, so she would bust that out. And I’m a big Uno person, so I was always called upon to bring those down and that was almost a nightly ritual. It gets really competitive. I’m shamefully competitive about that game and we have a lot of fun trash-talking to each other during it.”
On her favorite piece from the collection: “I’m a huge hat and crewneck person. Hats saved me in Tokyo because it was so hot and so sunny on the walks where the bus would drop us off to and from practice and games.”
Jagger Eaton, Skateboarding
On his favorite village memory: “In Tokyo, Jake Ilardi, Nyjah Huston, and I were skating to get food through the village and we got kicked off our boards by security. Skateboarding has been waiting so long to get the legitimacy it deserves from the Olympics and it finally did, and it’s so funny because we’re still rebels at heart.”
On his favorite piece from the collection: “The shorts. I never skate in shorts, but I will definitely wear them around. And the rugby-inspired tee. I’m never going to take that off.”
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
Jeffrey Louis, Breaking
On what he wears to breakdance: “After competing, I like to be comfortable, but I like to style it out because when you’re dancing, you’re limited in what you can wear. I love a hoodie or hat, but I can’t wear that while dancing, because if it flies off in battle, I’ll get points deducted. After the battles, I like to gear up and look fresh in a layered jacket. Since breaking is an art form where you have to have your own style, everybody has their own taste. I like a baggier fit, loose and light, but I like less grip so I can slide. Cotton works, leather won’t. I might cuff a collar or roll up a leg. I always try to wear something that feels right but looks different.”
Daniela Moroz, Sailing
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
On what she’s most excited about: “I’m really excited for the opening ceremony, especially since we’re going to be on boats in the Seine by the Eiffel Tower.”
On how she’ll make the village more homey: “I always travel with a stuffed animal leopard named Simba that my mom got me, so Simba will be coming with me. He’s here with me now in New York. I want to have my iPad with some good books because I love reading, and hopefully I have a fun roommate. I’d like someone who will help me disconnect from the actual competition. We’re sailing over seven days, so it’s a lot and it’s important to be able to disconnect from the racing and find moments to enjoy the whole process.”
Shilese Jones, Gymnastics
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
On how she unwinds after competing: “After a long day, I like pizza and a massage and then it’s right back to it.”
On what piece she’ll be wearing most at the Olympics: “Our leotards, always. But when I’m not, I love a sweatpant or a matching set with an UGG boot. Something comfy and oversize.”
Melissa Stockwell, Paralympic Triathlon
On her favorite Olympic village so far: “When I went to Beijing in 2008, it was my first Paralympics and I had no idea what to expect. The village was a magnificent town within a town, and the magnitude was something else. There were bridges and waterfalls.”
On what she’ll be wearing most from the collection: “The sweatsuit and dress. Around the village, my teammates and I try to have a ‘fit of the day’ where we match. It makes it fun and exciting, and we started it in Tokyo. So one day, maybe we’ll all wear skirts and sweater vests. We’re loud and we’re a lot of fun, and maybe we’ll even make a few TikToks.”
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
Photo: courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren
Roderick Townsend, Paralympic Track & Field
On his roommate situation at the Games: “I’ve never had a roommate, and I’ve been lucky enough that each time I’ve gone to the Games, I’ve had my own room with a queen-size mattress. I’m on that gold-medal list.”
Brooke LaMantia , 2024-06-18 14:45:15
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