South African Olympic team at the opening ceremony. Picture: Twitter / @OfficialTeamRSA
The Olympics are well and truly under way in Paris, with South Africa already bagging a bronze medal in the men’s rugby sevens, yet people are still talking about the outfits from the opening ceremony that took place on Friday night.
South Africans can’t seem to get over how basic our athletes looked compared to other countries.
As they sailed on by, all viewers could see were the beige blazers and white tops. Even though they were paired with baggy dark green pants for the women and black pants for the guys.
It’s a pity people didn’t get to see the inside of the blazers. The lining, which featured print inspired by colours on the South African flag, was so much more vibrant than the boring outside.
The opening ceremony outfits, as well as the sporting kits, were all designed by Mr Price Sport.
⛵TeamSA setting sail! 🌊#TeamSA#ForMyCountry#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/c8gm8XABBe
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2024
Mzansi took to social media to share their thoughts on the look, and it seems most people were disappointed by the outfits.
On TikTok South African musician Bouwer Bosch shared a video captioned: “Let’s talk about South Africa’s Olympic outfits.”
He starts off by saying: “I think we need to address the elephant in the room and that is the South African’s Olympic team outfit this year.”
After sharing a few examples of outfits from other countries, he then takes a look at team SA’s outfit.
“Here we are looking like a bunch of interns from FNB,” says Bosch.
@bouwerbosch Let’s talk about South Africa’s Olympic outfits 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 #greenscreen #Olympics #SouthAfrica #mzansicomedy #Fashion #Paris #Afrikaans ♬ original sound - Bouwerbosch
He goes onto suggest that next time they perhaps use Canva.
“We are from South Africa. Why don’t we lean into it like crazy.”
He notes that South Africa has many incredible fashion designers and yet went with something so basic.
@brox209 took to X and wrote: “The Olympics opening ceremony 2024 uniforms for South Africa were so disappointing. We have so much culture and fantastic local artists. Such a missed opportunity.”
“Now why is our opening ceremony outfit a beige blazer and white shirt like we are a country of school principals? What's happening?” said: @sboshmafu.
Now why is our opening ceremony outfit a beige blazer and white shirt like we are a country of school principals? What's happening? https://t.co/VvdczgZaGp
— Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) July 26, 2024
“Was there no budget for the design team that was to dress the South African team at the #OlympicsOpeningCeremony. From the Khoi to amaBhaca to the Thonga people to the Zulu to the Tsonga to the Venda to the Tswana and so on - could none of their dress provide inspiration?,” commented @SZondi.
@Tsigwili wrote: “@GaytonMcK i really don't know who is designing or even approving the attire for the Olympics SA teams, but its bad, it has been for years, for a country with so much talented designers, this is disappointing. #Olympics2024Paris #OlympicGames #OlympicOpeningCeremony.”
IOL Lifestyle