Over 120 years of history, the Olympic Games have been the scene of some unforgettable uniforms. Some are still remembered for their beauty and symbolism, while others provoke laughter and criticism. With that in mind, we at Yahoo Sports have compiled a list of the 10 best (and some of the worst) uniforms in Olympic history.
Cuba – Rio 2016
The Cuban uniform at the recent Olympics has attracted a lot of attention. Designed by Christian Louboutin, the uniform had a sleek, modern look that fit the streets of Havana.
Japan – Sydney 2000
All eyes were on the mix of colorful raincoats and black shirts from Japan during the opening show in Sydney.
New Zealand – Athens 2004
At the 2004 Olympics, New Zealand wore a monochrome uniform to honor the rugby team known as the All Blacks.
Jamaica – London 2012
The vibrant outfit designed by Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, completely captured the spirit of the country and will go down in history alongside the records of Usain Bolt.
Russia – Atlanta 1996
Russia, in its first participation in the Olympic Games after the fall of the Soviet Union, chose an all-white uniform decorated with Olympic rings.
Japan – Tokyo 1964
The last time Japan hosted the games, it grabbed the spotlight at the opening show. With red jackets, white pants and dazzling timing, the athletes created a stunning visual impact for the spectators.
Malaysia – London 2012
With a bold mix of yellow and orange, this Southeast Asian country caught the world’s attention at the opening of the London Games.
Australia – Rio 2016
For the Rio Olympics, Australia opted to return to its uniform of 1924. Striped jackets and white pants were the clothing of choice to suit the tropical climate of South America.
United Kingdom – London 2012
In their all-white outfit with gold detailing, all eyes were on the UK delegation during the parade in their capital.
Sweden – Athens 2004
The Swedish delegation showed that the classics exist for a reason. With a plain white dress and a small shoulder bag in country colors, Sweden combined style and simplicity.
Russia – London 2012
Russia opted for uniforms with a touch of color at the London Olympics. The color scheme and swirl pattern on the jacket is embellished with the country name print on the chest.
Hungary – Beijing 2008
The combination of white and red didn’t work out for Hungarians in 2008. The idea was to put floral accents on white dresses, but from a distance they looked more like bloodstains than anything else.
Spain – London 2012
Several jokes were circulated at the London Games that the Spanish uniform looked rather good for the McDonald’s employees. The uniforms have come under fire from athletes, who say they are embarrassed to wear them.
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