Kenyan athlete Hellen Obiri has already won silver medals at the Olympic Games twice and will be competing in this year’s edition, which begins on Friday 26 July in Paris. When she steps onto the starting line for the first time during the competition, the long-distance runner will make history – and not precisely for her running ability. The result of the race is not yet known, but it is known that the Kenyan will be running in an innovative pair of shoes.

This is the Cloudboom Strike LS model from On, a Swiss brand that was founded in 2010 and innovated by creating these shoes, which have no laces or heel protection. They are made of an elastic and plastic material and, for this reason, in an interview with the New York Times, the athlete says that the first impression she had was not positive and that she considered it impossible to run with these shoes.

“The first time I saw the shoes I was like, ‘No, I can’t run in these. ’ In the locker room, even my teammates were like, ‘This is a joke. You can’t run a marathon in those shoes. ’” Obiri nevertheless agreed to run the Boston Marathon in April of this year in the Cloudboom Strike LS and won the race. She will now wear her shoes at the Paris Olympics.

The shoe was created from a mile-long, semi-translucent synthetic monofilament, which was shaped by a robotic arm and designed to conform to the athlete’s feet to help her run more effectively, and then fused with a rubber foam and carbon fiber sole. It’s called the Cloudboom Strike LS (LS stands for LightSpray, the name of the technology used) and weighs just 170 grams. Plus, the brand claims it has 75% less impact on the environment than traditional sneakers.

Cloudboom Strike LS/On Shoes

But it’s not just Obiri’s innovative footwear that will be in the spotlight at the upcoming Olympic Games. The uniforms that the delegations will wear at the opening of the competition have gradually been revealed, and some of them have features that make them stand out. Let’s start with our country, followed by the one that is generating countless positive comments on social media, Mongolia.

Portugal

On May 7, Lisbon Airport hosted the parade of the uniforms that our athletes will wear to the Olympic Games. Among participants and models, the public was able to see the creations, which were made by Decenio, and which had the collaboration of the Cooperativa Aliança Artesanal de Vila Verde, which hand-embroidered the pattern that the flag bearers will wear at the opening ceremony of the Games. This print reflects the messages of love, solidarity, strength and overcoming that Decenio has collected for several months with its clients and prominent personalities such as the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, or the President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, José Manuel Constantino.

The outfits are predominantly dark blue, while the pieces have hints of the national flag colours, in green and red. This is an urban, sporty and comfortable collection, which will be used by athletes at official ceremonies and on informal occasions. Among the 25 items designed by the Portuguese brand are suits, polo shirts, sweaters, skirts, caps, scarves and sneakers.

Delegation of Portugal/DECENIO

Mongolia

The Mongolian delegation’s uniform was designed by national luxury brand Michel & Amazonka, often nicknamed “Mongol Chanel” in the country. At the opening ceremony, the delegation will wear outfits in shades of white, ecru and blue, featuring national and Olympic symbols, including the Nine White Flags – a symbol of power, independence and unity for the Mongolian people – the Olympic torch, the emblem of the Paris Olympic Games and representations of the sun, the moon and Gua-Maral, a mythological figure, all embroidered with gold threads.

Mongolian Delegation/ Instagram Reproduction Michel&Amazonka

United States of America

The American delegation chose not to innovate, at least when it came to choosing the brand in charge of creating the clothing. Thus, for the ninth time, the outfits worn by the athletes at both the opening and closing ceremonies will be signed by Ralph Lauren.

At the opening ceremony, athletes will wear navy blue blazers with red and white details, striped shirts, blazer-colored ties and jeans, while at the closing ceremony of the competition they will wear biker-style jackets, white jeans, a polo shirt and a cap.

South Korea

The South Korean athletes’ uniform was created by the Musinsa Standard brand and consists of a light blue jacket, which symbolizes the energy and spirit of youth. The lining of the coats has a pattern inspired by Korean blue and white porcelain, and the belt is a modern interpretation of the traditional palace belt.

South Korean Delegation/Musinsa Standard

Canada

The Canadian delegation will wear uniforms from local company Lululemon, which feature a print that reflects the country’s history and biodiversity, with a special emphasis on flowers. The pieces, whose predominant colours are red and white, the colours of the country’s flag, are innovative with magnetic closures and Braille prints.

Canadian delegation/ Lululemon

Czech Republic

The highlight of the Czech athletes’ clothing is the blue and white trench coat, inspired by the typical Czech baloňák coat. The uniform was created in collaboration between the country’s Olympic team, Alpine Pro and designer Jan Černý.

Czechia/Prague Delegation Tomorrow

Thailand

Grand Sport Group Co Ltd is responsible for creating the Thai team’s kit, which is predominantly blue and red. The brand said the shirts were made from fabric made from plastic bottles, as a way of supporting environmental protection.

Thailand Delegation/ Instagram Grand Sport Thailand

Uzbekistan

The line was developed by brand 7Saber, which claims the uniform is inspired by the historic architecture of palaces, mosques and madrasas in Uzbekistan. Adorned with fractal mosaics, they also feature a stylised arch as a central element.

Delegation of Uzbekistan/ Instagram 7Saber

Haiti

Fashion designer Stella Jean teamed up with Haitian painter Philippe Dodard to create Haitian clothing, which the brand says is “a uniform for the rebirth of the first black republic.” The colorful print on the skirt and pants is inspired by Dodard’s creations. The top of the women’s uniform consists of a white blazer-style coat trimmed in blue, with a sash at the waist, and the men’s uniform includes a long-sleeved denim shirt.

Haitian entourage/Instagram Stella Jean

United Kingdom

Venturing into his third association with the Olympic Games, Ben Sherman once again took on the challenge of dressing the UK delegation for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The look comprises a bomber jacket, a collared knitted polo shirt and a shirt featuring floral designs featuring roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks, illustrating the unity and history between the nations, all in the colours of the flag, blue and red, with hints of yellow, violet and green.

Entourage UK / Ben Sherman Official Instagram

Taiwan

The Taiwanese national team uniform was once again designed by Justin Chou, chief designer of JUST IN XX, who also designed the outfits worn by the delegation at the Tokyo Olympics, having collaborated with other professionals from the country, such as contemporary artist Paul Chiang or interlaced flower artisan Peggy Lin, as well as leading Taiwanese textile manufacturers New Wide Group and Junmay Label & Textile, who created a sustainable uniform that combines culture with art and craftsmanship. The result is a blue pantsuit and blazer, with floral appliqués, and a checked shirt with a white high collar.

Taiwan Entourage/ Instagram Just in XX

France

Berluti was the brand chosen to create the uniforms that the host country’s athletes will wear at the opening of the Olympic Games and that will have the colors of the country’s flag – blue, white and red – with dark blue being the predominant color of the look. Men will wear plain pants to match their sneakers, while women will have the additional option of a patent leather skirt and loafers.

French Delegation/ Instagram Team France

Brazil and the controversy over the Olympic clothing

The clothes Brazil will wear at the Olympic Opening Ceremony are generating criticism among Brazilians themselves. The collection was created by local fast fashion brand Riachuelo and includes a denim jacket with symbols alluding to the country, such as a jaguar and local vegetation, yellow or green t-shirts with white stripes, a white midi skirt, trousers also in white, sports coats in blue and green tones, among others. The look also includes flip-flops, which the athletes will wear at the Opening Ceremony, a partnership between the brand and Havaianas.

The public has access to some versions of the pieces that the participants will wear in Paris this Friday, July 26, and they can be purchased on the brand’s website. The most expensive item is the denim jacket, which costs 599.99 reais (about 100 euros) and the cheapest are the flip-flops, which come in three models – all with colors alluding to the country (green, yellow and blue) – and cost 59.90 (just under 10 euros).

However, on social media, especially on Riachuelo’s Instagram page, there are many comments describing the uniforms as “shameful”, pointing out that the athletes’ white skirts are “believers” (in reference to the clothes usually associated with those worn by evangelical Christian women) and criticising the fact that the entourage received the clothes in a cloth bag instead of in a suitcase, as is usual.