In Baltimore, Barker & Mirabella note Under Armour has its "largest Olympics roster ever -- 225 athletes," including U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, USWNT MF Kelley O'Hara and British tennis player Andy Murray. Teams outfitted by UA include USA Gymnastics, USA Boxing, Canada rugby and Switzerland beach volleyball. The Olympics represent a "critical venue for a company counting on international growth to help narrow the gap with much bigger rival Nike." UA said that it will "establish a hospitality venue near Copacabana Beach for its athletes, their families and VIPs." It also has partnered with a local group on "fitness stations to host workouts for the public" (Baltimore SUN, 8/2).
DRESS FOR SUCCESS: In Pittsburgh, Sara Bauknecht noted several nations’ athletes "will be outfitted in uniforms by some of fashion’s top names." The Rio Games mark the fifth time Polo Ralph Lauren "has dressed Team USA." Canada "owes its sporty-yet-sleek blazers with maple leaf motif to homegrown label Dsquared2, while Cuba’s athletes worked with Christian Louboutin and French concept store Sporty Henri on their tailored jackets and red sneakers and kitten heels for" the Opening and Closing ceremonies. Other collaborations are "Stella McCartney and adidas (Great Britain), H&M (Sweden), and Lacoste (France)" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/1).
PAYING HOMAGE: In Detroit, James Hawkins noted Lions TE Eric Ebron on Saturday wore Muhammad Ali-inspired cleats that featured "boxing gloves on the front, a small photo of Ali and Ebron’s jersey number (85) on the heel, and Ali’s famous phrase 'Float like a butterfly' written on the Nike swoosh on his right foot and 'Sting like a bee' on the left" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/1).
