Rio Games workers and volunteers receive Chinese-made uniforms

RIO DE JANEIRO - Workers and volunteers for the Olympic and Paralymic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21 and September 7-18, respectively, started to receive their official uniforms on Friday, according to the event's organizing committee.

The uniforms, provided by official supplier to Rio 2016 Chinese sportswear company 361°, are available in four colors and were unveiled to the media on Thursday in Rio's port district where the Games' Uniform and Accreditation Center will be located.

"The uniforms were inspired by our nature, by the energy of the Brazilian people and by the visual identity of Rio 2016. They were created in order to show the essence of the teams working for Rio 2016, who are devoting themselves to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games memorable," said Beth Lula, Rio 2016's brand director.

Services Manager for the Games, Todd Severson, said the choice of colors would "distinguish the staff and align them with their areas of activity. Blue, for example, fits perfectly for the judges, as the competition areas are also blue. Similarly, green was chosen because the signage in the arenas will be the same color. So what we are saying to the spectators is 'follow the green.'"

The color worn by most of the Games' teams will be yellow as it is for the operational areas and the red uniforms will be for the medical teams, according to the organizers.

The uniform includes a shirt, trousers (that can transform into shorts), a jacket, a bag (which can be used as a wallet or a waist pouch), socks, trainers, caps and also a raincoat. All the trousers, shorts and caps are light brown.

Over two million items were made in total for the event which will include around 87,000 workers and volunteers.