Made In China: Team USA’s Opening Ceremony Outfits Manufactured Overseas

The United States will have several patriotic moments of pride during the course of the 2012 London Olympics, unfortunately, they’ll be saluting the good ol’ stars in stripes in uniforms that were made in China.

ABC reports that Team USA’s uniforms at the opening and closing ceremonies during the 2012 London Olympics will be made in China.

Why? Well, the United States chose Ralph Lauren to provide the uniforms for the opening ceremony, and since Ralph Lauren uses contractors in China to make its apparel, the uniforms used by Team USA during the opening ceremonies will come with a tag saying “made in China.”

In a statement, the U.S. Olympic Committee said:

“The U.S. Olympic team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors… We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company.”

Nanette Lepore, a top U.S. fashion designer, told ABC that it was shocking to find out that Team USA would be wearing uniforms made overseas.

Lepore said:

“Why shouldn’t we have pride not only in the American athletes, but in the American manufacturers and laborers who are the backbone of our country? Why? What’s wrong? Why was that not a consideration?”

Fox News reports that this is the second time that Ralph Lauren has caused controversy with its Olympic uniforms. In 2008, the company received criticism for placing an “oversized” logo on Team USA’s uniforms.

The American Politics Journal wrote at the time:

“Lauren — and most likely his son David — celebrated not the spirit of athletic competition, but themselves and their brand, morphing our athletes into unpaid billboards for the “Polo™” pony and rider that has helped bring the Laurens great … riches.”

Here’s a picture of the 2008 uniforms. Do you think the Ralph Lauren Polo pony is too big?

Do you think Team USA should be wearing American made clothes to the 2012 London Olympics?