Wednesday 27 April 2016

Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tom Daley unveil new Team GB kit for Rio Olympics designed by Stella McCartney

Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tom Daley unveil new Team GB kit for Rio Olympics designed by Stella McCartney

  • Team GB have unveiled their new kit for they Olympic Games in Rio drawn-up by top designer Stella McCartney
  • Olympic and world champion in heptathlon Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tom Daley modelled outfits made by Adidas
  • Daley, who appeared in just a tiny pair of swimming trunks, said: 'It's 100 days to go... it will come round in no time'
Team Great Britain's kit which will be worn by athletes at this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio has been unveiled by Adidas.
The attire, drawn-up by world-famous fashion designer Stella McCartney, was revealed at a launch on Wednesday - modeled by some of Team GB's top athletes.
Olympic gold medal winning athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and diving sensation Tom Daley donned the outfits which depict a lion atop a podium holding up the Olympic torch.
World champions and Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill models the new Adidas kit for the Olympics in Rio
World champions and Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill models the new Adidas kit for the Olympics in Rio
Stella McCartney poses with British athletes including Ennis-Hill (second from left) and Tom Daley (fourth from left) and Laura Trott (right)
Stella McCartney poses with British athletes including Ennis-Hill (second from left) and Tom Daley (fourth from left) and Laura Trott (right)
(From left) rugby sevens player Tom Mitchell, Ennis-Hill, Daley, and Welsh Paralympic sprinter Olivia Breeze model the new attire
(From left) rugby sevens player Tom Mitchell, Ennis-Hill, Daley, and Welsh Paralympic sprinter Olivia Breeze model the new attire
Diving sensation Daley (right) answers questions at the launch of the new kit alongside Ennis-Hill (centre) and Breen (left)
Diving sensation Daley (right) answers questions at the launch of the new kit alongside Ennis-Hill (centre) and Breen (left)
The designs, which come in blue and white, and red and white varieties were shown in their full variety at the launch, with tighter, skimpier outfits for track athletes and diver Daley, alongside the Rugby sevens kit.
While designer McCartney was wrapped up on stage in a large red coat, Daley, who stood next to her in the skimpy new trunks must have surely been feeling the cold.
Other athletes at the launch included double Olympic gold medalist in track cycling Laura Trott who modeled the sleek new dark blue and white unitard.
The kits all include an elaborate design of a podium which is topped by the Team GB symbol of a lion holding the Olympic torch
The kits all include an elaborate design of a podium which is topped by the Team GB symbol of a lion holding the Olympic torch
Adidas and McCartney also combined for Team GB's kit for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and have continued together for Rio
Adidas and McCartney also combined for Team GB's kit for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and have continued together for Rio
Unlike South Korea's kit for the games in Rio, Team GB's has not been treated with anti-mosquito stiff, but some do have long sleeves
Unlike South Korea's kit for the games in Rio, Team GB's has not been treated with anti-mosquito stiff, but some do have long sleeves

FEMAIL VERDICT: TIGHT FITTING DESIGNS MEAN ALL EYES WILL BE ON TEAM GB... FOR THE WRONG REASONS

While the athletic prowess of Team GB is what we're all supposed to be admiring in Rio come early August, Stella McCartney's eyebrow-raising kit designs are sure to attract a whole new audience to the Olympics...but sport might be the last thing on anyone's mind.
Tom Daley's skimpy diving attire, for example, might have set out to be the perfect marriage of 'performance and design', so says the celebrated British fashion designer, but they're so tiny, let's just hope he doesn't lose them when he launches off the 10-metre board in pursuit of a medal.
The official press release from McCartney also talks of a design that incorporates 'bold colours', 'a new coat of arms' and 'modern silhouettes' but with such an emphasis on the tight-fitting and the barely there, attention is more likely to focus on the exposed silhouettes of those striking out for Olympic glory than the pictures on their kits.
The patriotic designs are more clearly seen on Jessica Ennis-Hill's heptathlete briefs and cropped vest, with a big blue lion taking centre stage, holding aloft what looks like a hairbrush.
Elsewhere, the training wear designed to keep competitors warm away from their events has plenty of block colour red on the sleeves but it does also have a distinct sleepwear quality to it. The kind of thing a sporty teenager might wear to bed.
One thing is certain, you can't accuse McCartney of being boring with this bright and tight wardrobe of gear, which is more than can be said for the dull-as-ditchwater strip the England football team will be turning out in when the first ball of the Euro 2016 tournament is kicked in June. 

Team GB unveil the new kit for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

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Speaking at the launch, Daley, who picked up a Bronze medal in London four years ago, said: 'It's 100 days to go, you think you have got ages but it will come round in no time at all'. 
Adidas and Stella McCartney first collaborated in 2005 and McCartney also designed the attire for the Team GB athletes at the 2012 Olympics in London. 
Unlike South Korea, the Team GB kit is not being specifically treated with anti-mosquito stiff but some have got long arms and legs as concerns about Zika virus continue. 
Bronze-medal-winning triathlete Jonathan Brownlee posted a picture of himself and his gold-medal-winning brother Alistair wearing the kit on Twitter, writing: 'Love the @adidasUK 2016 Olympic kit. The new design looks great. Think it looks better on me though.'
(From left) Breen, Ennis-Hill and Daley prepare to answer a question as they model the new Team GB tracksuits for Brazil
(From left) Breen, Ennis-Hill and Daley prepare to answer a question as they model the new Team GB tracksuits for Brazil
Triathlete brothers Jonathan Brownlee (left) and Alistair Brownlee (right) pose in the new Team GB kit for the Olympic Games in Rio
Triathlete brothers Jonathan Brownlee (left) and Alistair Brownlee (right) pose in the new Team GB kit for the Olympic Games in Rio
Daley, who will be looking to improve on his bronze medal from London in Brazil this summer, speaks at the kit launch in London
Daley, who will be looking to improve on his bronze medal from London in Brazil this summer, speaks at the kit launch in London
Ennis-Hill made her comeback to the heptathlon in style last year when she returned from giving birth to her first child to claim gold in the World Championships.
But speaking ahead of the defence of her Olympic crown from London four years ago, she admitted she had struggled with injures.
'I'm preparing to go into an Olympics in a completely different way to last time,' Ennis-Hill told a 'Thank You Mum' afternoon tea event, organised by Olympic sponsor P&G with her mother Alison alongside.
'I'm having injury struggles and things are up and down but I'm in an amazing place now. I'm really happy, I'm content with life and enjoying athletics and enjoying my personal life.'