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Industry Talk
Team Canada is dressed to win
Blending function and style with close attention to detail.
25th April 2024
Knitting Industry
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Vancouver, Canada
Lululemon has revealed its first-ever summer Athlete Kit for Team Canada ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, developed in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).
“For Paris 2024, we had the opportunity to deepen our partnership with the Olympians and Paralympians who represent Canada on the global stage,” said Calvin McDonald, lululemon CEO. “We took an innovation-first approach to design a collection driven by athlete insights, so they can feel and perform their best in Paris. All of us at lululemon are honoured to support these athletes, both as individuals and a team, as they represent their country this summer.”
The Team Canada x lululemon Paris 2024 Athlete Kit blends function and style through innovative construction and performance fabrics, within modern silhouettes and Canadian-inspired prints.
“Paris will be my fourth Olympics and I have not seen a kit quite like this,” said Damian Warner, lululemon ambassador and Decathlon Olympic Champion. “We’re going to be able to showcase some of our own personal style, while showing off our Canadian pride together.”
During the design process, lululemon led product testing and feedback sessions with 19 Canadian athletes across 14 different sports, in order to understand their unique needs during the Games.
“My biggest takeaway from this process was lululemon’s commitment to working with Paralympians to make the pieces accessible and adaptable,” said Zak Madell, lululemon ambassador and Team Canada Wheelchair Rugby player. “It’s not only about looking good, but also about feeling good – and I can’t imagine a better way to show up for Canada. I know this kit will be a part of my daily wardrobe moving forward, because of the attention to detail.”
Athletes, coaches, and support staff will wear Team Canada apparel throughout key moments at the Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies, medal ceremonies, media appearances, travel and daily life in the Athlete Village.
The kit was designed to support more bodies and more abilities, with features including magnetic-close zippers, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides. The two adaptive styles – the Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and the Seated-Fit Packable Rain Poncho – are intentionally designed to deliver functionality and comfort in a seated position.
To keep athletes comfortable during changing temperatures and conditions, the kit features adjustable styles as well as SenseKnit technology and sweat-wicking fabrics to enhance breathability through ventilation. Products with four-way stretch fabrics, customszable drawcords, and newly engineered pocket shapes and placements help athletes move and personalise styles.
“Our partnership with lululemon has been transformational for Team Canada athletes,” said David Shoemaker, CEO at the Canadian Olympic Committee. “We are thrilled to be working with an outfitter that truly understands our mission and shares our values, and has worked so hard to create a team kit that can make us all proud. Not only are Team Canada athletes going to shine on the field of play – they’re going to turn heads wherever they show up in Paris.”
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