The Australian Olympic Committee and Australian Paralympic Committee in association with Nike, today unveiled the Australian competition team uniforms for the Sydney 2000 Games.

Combining cutting-edge research and development with the Australian spirit, Nike has designed the most technically advanced and visually compelling product the teams have ever seen. The Australian uniform carries a single identity across all sports, reflecting the Southern Cross and a unique ‘waterfall’ print design.

‘Nike has done amazing things in a short period of time,’ said Herb Elliott MBE, Director of Athlete and Corporate Relations, AOC. ‘Our athletes will look great and will be wearing the latest and best in performance fabrics. I know that all Australians will feel proud of the way our teams look.

‘From Phil Knight, Chairman of Nike, to the logistics, design and production people in the USA and Australia, they have all taken a personal interest in the supply of uniforms to the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams. It is the first time that Nike has been involved in supplying a full Olympic and Paralympic Team. Our athletes love the product and we know that the Australian public will too.’

Thanks to Nike innovation, the Australian teams will be well equipped to tackle the physical demands of their sport. They’ll stay warm, cool or dry, move freely and remain undistracted by athletic apparel.

‘We addressed the specific needs of Australian athletes by working with them throughout the design process,’ said Ken Black, Olympic Creative Director, Nike Inc. ‘Athletes around the world and in different sports have different needs. When we took the project on in December, the brief was very specific – innovation and the Australian spirit. A team of over 50 designers have since worked to ensure that Australian athletes have access to some of the most exciting and technologically advanced sporting equipment in the world.’

‘Both Olympic and Paralympic team members will be provided with uniforms of a world class standard,’ said Brendan Flynn, Chief Executive, APC. ‘We are very pleased that for the first time ever our Paralympic athletes will compete in the same uniforms as their Olympic brothers and sisters.’

Nike designers created uniform styles with the athletes’ competitive attitudes in mind. Inspired by superheroes, the rowing team will compete in sleek gear, while runners will ‘slice through the air’ in the Track and Field Swift Suit.

Nike has created uniforms for athletes from 22 countries in 67 teams.

In addition to the Australian uniforms unveiled today, Nike also showcased a selection of other Nike designed Olympic team uniforms, including USA Track and Field; China Basketball and Italy Volleyball. Also on display was a collection of Olympic memorabilia including one of Michael Johnson’s famous gold shoes.

Nike Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, designs and markets its products in more than 100 countries and is the world’s leading sports and fitness company. Further information can be obtained at www.nikebiz.com.

For further information contact Sophie Blue (02 9818 0949, 0416 006 821), Ty Jernstedt (02 9818 0957), Donna Tout (02 9818 0913) or Claire Sharpe (02 9818 0948, 0412 064 384) at Professional Public Relations.

Source: Australian Olympic Committee