[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]

Originally Posted by 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,

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]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

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]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

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]

Originally Posted by 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."

you would think a lauren would have been made state side