As the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, Team GB and ParalympicsGB have unveiled their new kits for the upcoming summer events, featuring prominent athletes including out gay diver and four-time Olympic medalist Tom Daley.
The launch showcased Daley alongside athletes, including sprinter Laviai Nielsen, skateboarder Lola Tambling, and others, each sporting the new designs.
Tom Daley, who has previously won gold and is preparing for the Paris Olympics, was featured in the promotional photos wearing the new Team GB kit, consisting of blue tracksuit bottoms, a white T-shirt, and blue swim trunks. Reflecting on the new kit, Daley expressed his pride in representing his country and the special significance of the new kit design.
The kit, produced by Adidas, incorporates Union Jack’s colours and prominently displays “Great Britain” across the front. A unique feature of this year’s design is a tactile typeface inspired by British athletes from the 1924 Olympics, allowing athletes to feel the text and perhaps the passion embedded within.
Adidas emphasises that the designs were crafted with input from athletes like Daley, mainly focusing on sport-specific requirements to maximise comfort and performance. For instance, Daley highlighted the importance of fit and security in diving apparel to prevent any issues during high-speed aquatic maneuvers.
The inclusion of the Union Jack on every garment aims to honour traditional values and patriotism, a sentiment echoed by the British Olympic Association’s CEO, Andy Anson, especially in light of recent controversies over national team kit designs perceived as politically motivated by many.
