Paris Olympics 2024: Gone are the days of cultural cringe when it comes to our official clothes

Members of the Australian Olympic team pose during the Australian 2024 Paris Olympic Games Official Uniform Launch at Clovelly Surf Club on April 17.

It’s the most important day on the Olympic calendar. The day we all become fashion critics and cultural aficionados when the Australian Olympic Committee unveils the official uniform.

There were not so much nerves ahead of the debut of the 2024 Paris kit as our sports stars came down the ramp at the picturesque Clovelly Beach on Wednesday, as much as there was a welcomed circuit breaker from the horror Australians have experienced recently.

Nestled deep in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, just a stone’s throw from Westfield Bondi Junction, looking out as locals in Speedos bobbed in the water, our medal hopefuls including sprinters, a Matildas veteran and our first break dancing star destined for the Olympics paraded a uniform that broke with tradition.

Athlete Michelle Heyman in the new gear.

The dressy attire for our Olympians has always landed somewhere between preppy private school uniform and dodgy 1980s suburban realtor.

This year, with the games being held at the home of high fashion – Paris, the style bar was higher than anything Steve Hooker ever cleared. Sportscraft served up a smart range complete with white Dunlop Volley sneakers.

The usual criticism and cultural cringe inspired by the kits was replaced with nods of approval from everyone from fashion writers, sports minister Anika Wells (who helped out with the styling) and former (unofficial) minister for fashion Julie Bishop.

This morning we launched into 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ days to #Paris2024 by revealing the Australian Olympic Team Opening Ceremony uniform at the stunning Clovelly Beach in Sydney 🇦🇺💚💛#AllezAUS | @Sportscraft | @VolleyAustraliapic.twitter.com/241iuj2OzW

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) April 17, 2024

Sportscraft pushed the envelope, and the regulation palette of green and gold, with teal blazers. As well as a range of shorts in white and beige and pleated skirts that gave the ombre effect to our official colours.

“For the spirit of sport” – the Australian Olympic oath – is embroidered into each jacket “at heart level”, beamed a proud Chef de Mission Anna Meares.

“With gratitude to those who make it possible” it continues.

Given recent events these uniforms signify more than just clothes in 2024.

These sustainable and locally sourced cotton kits, are sophisticated signifiers of the importance of banding together in love and pride for our country and each other.