Olympics 2012: US Ralph Lauren uniforms made in China spark outrage

A new scandal has broken after the news the US athletes at the forthcoming London Olympics will wear stylish uniforms designed in the US – but made in China.

The news prompted a rare outbreak of bipartisan agreement, with Republican and Democratic leaders highly critical of the US Olympic Committee.

“I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves,” Senate majority leader Harry Reid said.

The outfits – which cost close to $2,000 – were designed by US label Ralph Lauren.

“The classic navy blue blazers, white trousers and skirts, and red-accented ties and berets may have a distinctly American look, but the label inside reads “Made in China”, ABC News revealed.

The classic US Olympic uniform may have a distinctly American look, but the label inside reads Made in China

That left a sour taste in the mouths of the nation’s top lawmakers when they were asked about the affair on Thursday.

House of Representatives minority leader Nancy Pelosi stressed the entire nation was behind its Olympic athletes.

“We take such pride and they work so hard. They represent the very best and they’re so excellent, it’s all so beautiful,” the California Democrat said.

“And they should be wearing uniforms made in America.”

Republican House Speaker John Boehner kept his comments brief.

“You’d think they’d know better,” he said of the US Olympic Committee.

But the strongest remarks came from Harry Reid, the senior Democratic senator from Nevada – a state hard-hit by the lingering economic downturn and which has seen high levels of unemployment since the time of the last Olympics, held in China’s capital, Beijing.

“I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.

“I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them. And start all over again,” the Los Angeles Times quoted him as saying.

“I hope they wear nothing but a single that says <<USA>> on it painted by hand. We have people in America working in the textile industry who are desperate for jobs,” he concluded.

In a statement, the US Olympic Committee said Team USA was privately funded and sponsored.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company,” the committee added.

The US Olympic uniforms cost $1,945 for men and $1,473 for women, Ralph Lauren said.

Although this is not the first time Ralph Lauren has designed US Olympic garb, lawmakers said the Chinese involvement had a symbolic impact, as the US anxiously searches for clues of renewed economic competitiveness.

“Today there are 600,000 vacant manufacturing jobs in this country and the Olympic committee is outsourcing the manufacturing of uniforms to China?” said Steve Israel, a House Democrat.

“That is not just outrageous, it’s just plain dumb. It is self-defeating.”

 

Clyde K. Valle

Clyde is a business graduate interested in writing about latest news in politics and business. He enjoys writing and is about to publish his first book. He’s a pet lover and likes to spend time with family. When the time allows he likes to go fishing waiting for the muse to come.

Recent Posts

House Panel Votes to Release Matt Gaetz Ethics Report

The US House Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on former Republican Representative…

4 days ago

ABC News to Pay $15M to Settle Trump Defamation Suit

ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump to settle a…

1 week ago

South Korea’s Parliament Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol Following Martial Law Scandal

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt…

1 week ago

Syria: Israeli War Planes Carry Out More Than 100 Air Strikes

Israeli war planes have carried out more than 100 air strikes in Syria on December…

2 weeks ago

Donald Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on BRICS Nations

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on the BRICS countries if they…

3 weeks ago

Syria Coup: Rebels Take Control of Aleppo

Syrian troops have withdrawn from the city of Aleppo following an offensive by rebels opposed…

3 weeks ago