Armani dresses Italy for the Rio Olympics

We hope to see them sporting the podium version of the kit as often as possible but, in any case, Italy’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes are sure to be amongst the best-dressed at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

And the reason is that, as he did for London 2012 and Sochi 2014, designer Giorgio Armani has once again collaborated with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) in designing and producing the Italian team’s formal and leisure wear, including footwear.

The collection was presented on 1 July at the Armani Theatre during a fashion show in which a number of top athletes competing in Brazil (starting 5 August) took part. It bears the logo of the Armani group’s sportswear range, EA7, and will shortly be available for sale to the “non-Olympic” public as well.

Featuring the same iconic midnight blue that the designer used for the summer Olympics four years ago and the winter Games two years ago, the kit provided to every athlete in the Olympic and Paralympic team includes track suits, hooded waterproof jackets, with or without sleeves, short- and long-sleeved blue polo shirts, white polo shirts, Bermuda shorts, long trousers and shorts, and running shoes in two different versions, one in white and blue and the other in the colours of the Italian tricolour. 

The podium version of the kit – which, as we said, we hope to see as often as possible – has contrasting white graphic inserts and the word ITALIA written on the back in gold lettering.

Another interesting titbit: the first verse of the Italian national anthem is written in gold cursive lettering on the lining of the Olympic team’s jackets and sweatshirts. The opening words of the anthem, Fratelli d’Italia, also appear on polo shirts, on the outside of the neck band and are visible when the collar is turned up.