Olympics /uniforms made in china /if you were a athlete what would you do

[nitehawk]

What would you do if you were a American athlete - would you protest in some way or just go with the flow

[waynet]

our country is so messed up. Incedible that someone in charge would give the business to China. I would find that person and give him/her a one-way ticket to the sweatshop in China. As an athlete I would not wear the uniform.Stand up for whats right,maybe even a black power salute?

[cquick]

I'd like to know who manufactured them for the last Olympics games......and if it was a USA company, why didn't they stay with the same company?

[Figmo Bohica]

Got them cheaper from China.

[senior citizen]

What would you do if you were a American athlete - would you protest in some way or just go with the flow

My husband thinks they should just wear American made "jeans" and a "white polo shirt". Definitely NOT something made in China.

Those uniforms were not so great looking to begin with.
Definitely NOT to a beret/baret hat which is French.

He was totally all for "Made in America" before he retired..........
He proudly stated so on his website.....

I like Ralph Lauren, who is a self made man in America and has a gorgeous home in Colorado..........beautiful family....however, you would think he would farm out the work to folks in the U.S.A.

Years ago, our mill towns and our cities all had seamstresses and tailors working right here in the U.S.A.......garment manufacturing companies, etc. My dad's sisters were all garment workers in N.Y.C. and my cousins were tailors who could make hand made suits, etc.
All of our clothes now are made "someplace else".....very sad.

Actually, the quality of foreign made clothing has slowly gone "downhill", even from the best "high end" stores and online stores.

It's all about their profit line.......not about putting Americans to work.

[BritParrothead]

Most of the memorabilia wa also made in China!!
Going to watch th Olympic torch come to our town in a couple of hours!! BIG party planned on the beach :eclipsee_gold_cup:

[k2at]

My wife and I only buy made in America articles when they are available. I would not wear the Olympic uniforms and would in fact replace them with American made.

[dfn8tly]

Wear them with pride! The next time you look at your new shirt/blouse you'll probably see it's made in Vietnam, Laos or Bankok. America cares only about cost.

[mfp509]

They should be American made. I'm tired of only seeing "Made in the USA" on about 1% the items in the stores (that's my own estimate to make a point). I remember so well the mills all running and people working. I was brought up in a mill town. I want to see and buy more products made here!

[Penguin]

Got them cheaper from China.

Its all about the money,Still a shame

[justjim]

I'd like to know who manufactured them for the last Olympics games......and if it was a USA company, why didn't they stay with the same company?:agree:Good question......I don't know the answer but can only guess that the last Olympic game uniforms were NOT made in USA either. I say the Olympic Committee did not require the uniforms to be made in USA in their bid process. However, before we throw any stones-----take a look at our own closets.

[gmcneill]

To answer nitehawk's specific question, I'd wear the uniform with pride!

Addressing the larger issue is not simple. The US Olympic organization does not receive federal government funding; it depends on donations, sponsorships, and partnerships to survive.

Ralph Lauren is one such sponsor. RL has it's business reasons for making the manufacturing decisions that it has. And as the posters above stated, it all comes down to cost. And for companies, lower costs generally result in a better bottom line.

That said, however, given the enormous exposure of and historically high demand for Olympic apparel and other products (read, high profits from sales to the US consumer), one would hope that RL and other US Olympic Team sponsors/partners would expend the extra effort to utilize US based workers over foreign workers to make Olympic-based products, even if doing so cuts into the profit margin. The companies would still make money.

I'm thinking that any such company could increase the price tag on it's Olympic products by the "extra pennies" to offset manufacturing costs w/out push back from the US consumer.

[looneycat]

personally I don't care where they are made. How many 'made in america' goods are made with american made fabric? very few! I do think that the uniforms are grotesque and not representative of american life styles and fashion. Berets? come on! the hat that currently has world wide recognition as THE American hat is a baseball cap. Good ole RL has dressed our team like a bunch of gay french people,

[kfierle]

Hickey Freeman, of Rochester, NY, has offered to make the uniforms: Made in USA (http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Hickey-Freeman-Offers-To-Make-Olympic-Uniforms/YuWCecZvm0qLEpKOFEfwFQ.cspx)

[looneycat]

Hickey Freeman, of Rochester, NY, has offered to make the uniforms: Made in USA (http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Hickey-Freeman-Offers-To-Make-Olympic-Uniforms/YuWCecZvm0qLEpKOFEfwFQ.cspx)

since the uniforms are a done deal why don't they just donate the money to the olympic committee?

[Moderator]

Let's leave partisan political statements out of this thread, please.

Moderator

[BobKat1]

I'm sure that a good percentage of the shoes, equipment etc. worn and used by the athletes isn't made in the U.S. either.

This seems like a tempest in a tea pot to me.

[Taltarzac725]

A news report did say though that the jobs related to making these USA Olympic team uniforms along with the many Olympic USA souvenirs and the like add up to One Billion dollars worth of revenues.

I have donated money to the Olympic team and received various items like a watch, thin sweater, etc. If I remember correctly, all these items were Made in China too. And, not of very good quality.

[Ripcord13]

Where do you think the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are made?

[senior citizen]

personally I don't care where they are made. How many 'made in america' goods are made with american made fabric? very few! I do think that the uniforms are grotesque and not representative of american life styles and fashion. Berets? come on! the hat that currently has world wide recognition as THE American hat is a baseball cap. Good ole RL has dressed our team like a bunch of gay french people,

My hubby said the same thing about the berets.

I like Ralph Lauren Polo Baby clothes for infants, etc. but agree that the uniforms are UGLY.

However, ABC National News last evening showed that there are several American companies right now who say yes they can manufacture U.S. made garments for the Olympics in two weeks time..........

If those are not to be duplicated, plain old jeans and white polo shirts and a baseball cap as you mention above.......

We also noticed that Mitt Romney "beat around the bush" when asked what he would do re the uniforms.
To me, it sounded as if "way back when" he was in charge of the Salt Lake City Olympics, perhaps....just perhaps, those uniforms also were NOT "Made in America".

[hdh1470]

Are government buys from china,look at handouts from our military t shirts etc most say made in china,found this out when my son was looking to go in and was getting gifts from all branch's .Makes the senator from Nevada look like he is just out for publicity OK for U.S. but not private org.

[Joaniesmom]

What would you do if you were a American athlete - would you protest in some way or just go with the flow

I would never miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience like participating in the Olympics because of something so minor as where the uniforms were made. Nor would I embarrass my country in front of the whole world by making a fuss over this minor matter.

If you want to protest about something, protest about the killings of thousands of innocent people in Syria.

My $0.02

Joaniesmom.

[Patty55]

It's my understanding that the uniforms were designed and donated by Ralph Lauren. I think it's kind of like when someone gives you an ugly sweater for Christmas, you say thank you and move on.

The althetes have worked hard to qualify, they and their families have sacrificed to get where they are. They should be having the time of their life not worrying about where their clothes came from.

Perhaps Romney's "beating around the bush" comes from him being the only one who really has a dog in this fight.

[uujudy]

The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic uniforms for the American team were made by Roots, a Canadian company. The 'Roots Beret' was the hottest item in town, and people stood in line for hours to buy the berets -- in unusually frigid weather.

[tommy steam]

What would you do if you were a American athlete - would you protest in some way or just go with the flow

I dont think many will walk away or protest too loudly, but than you never know. Almost all of the fancy designer clothing for men and woman are made in china. Low overhead and huge profits when they sell them. The people who are making the profits dont care what others think,its all about the money.

[Villages PL]

If we truly believe in free market capitalism, I think we should stop making a big deal out of this. This is the free market at work.

[Challenger]

If these items were made in Canada as are some "American" cars, I suspect there would be little controversy.

[Patty55]

I think the Ralph Lauren polo logo on the pocket is a tad tacky, but hey I guess as they say in my country "For free you take it."

[Taltarzac725]

I wonder what kind of quality these uniforms have? The stuff the US Olympic Committee sends out in return for various donations --like $20-- is of poor quality and Made in China.

I do not think that the athletes should make any kind of fuss about this. The Olympics are about them and not so much what they were when they come into the arena during the Walk of Nations.

What they wear in competition should be important though. There should be an even playing field without someone in very expensive and very well designed bathing suits or whatever.

[asianthree]

I think the Ralph Lauren polo logo on the pocket is a tad tacky, but hey I guess as they say in my country "For free you take it."

you would think a lauren would have been made state side

[gmcneill]

The official response from the RL Company said all of the right things: sorry; we checked, but it was too late to re-tool to a US manufacturer; we commit to manufacture future uniforms in USA (RL has a multi-Olympic agreement); will work with others (public/private/regulatory agencies) to address the larger issue of keeping/initiating manufacuring jobs in USA; and lastly, asked all of us to fully support the athletes, many of whom have dedicated years of their lives for this one opportunity.

[ijusluvit]

I intend to write to the US Olympic Committee, after the Games, to ask that they revisit their multi-games contract with RL. Specifically I'll suggest the uniforms be made in the US and that the RL logo be reduced to no larger than 1.5 inches in height.

Personally, the later issue was more objectionable than the former.

[nitehawk]

Big business runs the summer Olympics - the athletes are only pawns - maybe the originators of the games had the right idea - compete in the nude
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games | The Games (http://www.penn.museum/sites/olympics/olympicorigins.shtml)
I used to give to the winter Olympics -- never again

[Taltarzac725]

Big business runs the summer Olympics - the athletes are only pawns - maybe the originators of the games had the right idea - compete in the nude
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games | The Games (http://www.penn.museum/sites/olympics/olympicorigins.shtml)
I used to give to the winter Olympics -- never again

I ran hurdles in high school in Physical Ed. class and would never want to run these without some kind of protection. Just the thought of it in the nude makes me cringe.

Some of the athletes at the Olympics are very highly payed professional athletes or are hotshots with lots of company endorsements. Most though-- at least from the USA-- have struggled for years just for the very short shot at Olympic glory and hometown pride. My various donations to Summer and Winter Olympics have been because of these mostly unknown athletes.

We only see most of them during the Walk of Nations as the network showing the Olympics also only usually focuses on those with the endorsements of various companies, those winning or in medal contention, and those who are already celebrities.

[uujudy]

One of the things that surprised me about the Olympics was that the athletes wore their uniforms everywhere, even when they weren't competing or parading!

We would see the Belarussian hockey team at Albertson's buying snacks -- in their outfits. The Canadian ice skaters would be walking down the streets in their outfits (Canada House was right around the corner from us). The Japanese, the Norwegians, the Germans, the Brits, The French.... Everybody wore their outfits everywhere. I thought that was really cool! :thumbup:

And the berets... I think one reason for the hats (other than warmth) is so the athletes have some place to put their pins. The athletes (and everybody else) traded pins with folks from other countries. One of the most sought-after pins at the 2002 Olympics was the 'Lime Jell-o' pin! :loco:

Back on topic... I wonder if other athletes get upset that their outfits aren't made in their own countries -- or if they're so thrilled at finally having a chance to compete they'll wear anything the Committee gives them?

[billethkid]

to each his own opinion. For once I agree (and only this once) with Harry Reid...."let's just put them in a big pile and burn them".....

I personally think they should try to jump through hoops to get USA made uniforms.

At a minimum If they have no choice but to wear the outfits, I would support some sort of arm banding or other unified display by the athletes...at least by those unafraid to stand and be counted.

What a very stupid happening at a time when the country is being fueled by the outsourcing mania.

As a side note....when the Chinese come to the USA don't you wonder what their reaction is to most of the souveniers avalable are made in China?

I guess when they find one made in the USA it is a prize find!!!!!!!!!!

btk

[Patty55]

I've been giving some thought to this whole thing. My big problem isn't that they were made in China, my problem is the Ralph Lauren Polo logo and the design. These kids are athletes with great bodies and he has them prancing around like Thurston Howell III and his wife Dovey.:shrug:

[Vinny]

I would not be hypocritical since I am probably wearing using luggage, wearing footwear, utilize athletic equipment and own and use many things not made in America.

[njbchbum]

i'd appreciate it if someone could go through harry reid's closets and identify where his wardrobe is made! reminds me of the old saying - let he who is without sin cast the first stone! i'd like to know what kind of cars are registered to him as well!

i wonder whose olympic outfits were NOT made in china - or some third world country!

does harry want to take away the athletes ipads, cell phones, computers and digital cameras, too?

[Joaniesmom]

I've been giving some thought to this whole thing. My big problem isn't that they were made in China, my problem is the Ralph Lauren Polo logo and the design. These kids are athletes with great bodies and he has them prancing around like Thurston Howell III and his wife Dovey.:shrug:


If we're ever playing Charades at a party, you're definitely on my team! Thurston Howell III and Dovey!!! Incredible!! :bowdown:

[windylou]

As an athlete I would protest strongly ... and probably NOT wear the uniform
made in China . Shopping is no joy to me...until I find MADE in AMERICA ..
The picture of the uniform reminded me of the statue of Dr Martin Luther King ...
which LOOKS like CHinese !! I was so surprised that the black Americans did not
protest THAT .

[windylou]

You are right about looking in our own closets.. but we have to buy
what's on the racks ... or nothing. I try to find American made
but sometimes, I just have to buy what fits !
However, the Olympic committee had a choice ... since these are
not on a rack !

[Patty55]

There are plenty of "Made in America" goods on the racks, you just have to pay more for them. You can't have it both ways.

I think the solution to the big problem here is to bring back American sweatshops.