Outfitting athletes for the Winter Olympics
By Susan L. Sokolowski, The Conversation
At the first Winter Olympics, in Chamonix, France, in 1924, athletes competed in uniforms made from natural material resources like wool, cotton and leather; some had sport-specific modifications to aid in performance (like impact protection or warmth) or appearance (like a coat or skirt that would flare when spinning).
They did include colors and badges to signify the countries their wearers represented, but overall their dress could have largely passed for everyday clothes.
Since then, athletes’ uniforms have changed substantially.
Susan L. Sokolowski is the director and an associate professor for sports product design at the University of Oregon.