TORONTO -- Canada鈥檚 Olympic team appears to be putting their meme-worthy formal wear to bed after announcing a partnership with Lululemon to provide their clothing for the next four Olympic Games.
The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced on Thursday that Lululemon is the new 鈥渙fficial outfitter鈥� for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, in a deal that extends to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
鈥淪upporting these incredible athletes as they prepare to compete on the world鈥檚 largest sporting stage is a privilege,鈥� Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald said in a news release.
鈥淭hrough this partnership, all of us at Lululemon are honoured to play our part to inspire, unite and transform the world through sport.鈥�
Lululemon takes over the contract from Hudson鈥檚 Bay Co., which had been outfitting Canada鈥檚 athletes since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy.
During the Tokyo Olympic Games, Canada鈥檚 athletes wore a 鈥淐anadian tuxedo鈥� jean jacket for the closing ceremony that New York Times culture writer Dave Itzkoff described as 鈥渢he gang that comes after you if you say you tried watching 鈥楽chitt's Creek' but couldn't get into it."
In 2018, the outfits given to Canada鈥檚 winter athletes included a red and black flannel shirt, similar to what a stereotypical lumberjack would wear.
While many of Lululemon鈥檚 designs are still to be announced, the apparel company has unveiled a 鈥渇uture legacy bag鈥� in support of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Paralympic Foundation of Canada, as well as a teaser image that includes a red puffy jacket and red athletic wear.
鈥淭his is a partnership that will provide high-quality and stylish gear for Team Canada and also seek to promote and support sport for people of all abilities,鈥� said Karen O鈥橬eill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
