Nike held an event yesterday in New York where they (among other things) unveiled the basketball uniforms for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held later this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We weren’t there nor were we privy to a media kit of the unveiling, so… enjoy your bare bones coverage of the event!
The uniforms of at least seven counties made their public debut at this showcase, there may have been more but we’re not sure: USA, Philippines, Lithuania, Spain, Brazil, Canada, and China are the nations we could find photos of scouring Twitter and what was available on Nike’s own site.
As is the case these days, the focus was more on the technology of the construction of the uniform – design seemed to take a back seat because really, what design? Of all the uniforms we were able to get a look at, there wasn’t much in terms of it… and they all kinda looked the same anyways:
But hey, the numbers are shiny. And long undershorts for everyone!
Nike made some explanations behind three of the uniform designs (USA, Brazil, China) available on their site… We’ll summarize those for you:
BRAZIL
Green = Lush tropical landscape
Yellow = Vibrant lifestyle
Inspiration for Font = Curved to match local architecture
Other notes: An all-“volt” uniform is included as an alternate uniform
CHINA
Red = Happiness, luck, power, joy, and the flag.
Yellow = Locally represents freedom, bravery, and luck (they’re a real luck-focused nation, it seems)
Inspiration for Font = Local architecture, art, design. Decorative stroke reminiscent of detailing on terracotta soldiers
Other notes: Red jersey features a “flow” (2010’s marketing speak for “gradient”) from “comet” to crimson to bright red
USA
Red, White, Blue = USA! USA!
Shiny Crimson = Speed
Inspiration for Font = Local classic typography
Other notes: Blue jersey (not pictured) features a “spectrum” (just say gradient!) of blues from obsidian to deep royal blue.
Yes, the technology is always impressive but to be honest doesn’t really interest me nearly as much as the designs should. As long as they look good I couldn’t care less how many water bottles were used to make it. If you’re into that sort of thing you can check out all the details about it here.
