FROCKWATCH: Australian Olympic Opening Ceremony Uniform

The official word from Australian Olympic officials on the subject:

Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said the switch to
blue uniforms – the first time an Australian team has marched without
any green or gold – was a deliberate measure to modernise the look and
feel of the Aussie uniform.

"Every time we wear green and gold people say, ‘Why are we wearing green and gold.’ You can’t win,” he said.

"The athletes loved it. As Melanie (Roche, the Aussie softballer) said, ‘it’s hip’."

Tancred said the colour and trim of the uniform was designed in consultation with the athletes.

"The
athletes picked it they loved it. It reflected the light – that was the
design feature that Sportscraft wanted. It’s a uniform for young
athletes and the girls particularly last night in the village were all
wearing theirs.

"They all wore it by choice and took photos of one another and they absolutely loved it.

"We
just think we are on track in that it’s got to be young because the
team is young. It’s no good putting 18-year-olds in a blazer and a
boater or a Great Gatsby cap like the Americans had because that’s not
what they want to wear.”