MOSCOW, December 26 (R-Sport) - Expect to see the letters “RU” on the podium regularly once February's Winter Olympics get under way in Sochi.
Host nation Russia unveiled its Olympic team’s uniforms Thursday at a shopping center on Red Square, with a large red “RU” emblazoned on the chest of the team’s tracksuits, as well as on the bobble hats for mountain athletes.
"I like the fact that the uniform's bright and recognizable," Russian Olympic Committee head Alexander Zhukov said. "There's continuity with the uniforms from past Olympics, and there's quality. The athletes who tested the gear noticed that."
For the opening ceremony, however, more subdued black and burgundy velvet blazers with a Russian crest are in favor, and overall, the Russian uniforms appear to be toned down a notch from the red-and-white swirled costumes that made several publications’ picks for the worst of London 2012’s wear.
Both Russia’s London and Sochi uniforms were produced by Russian clothing firm Bosco Sport, whose founder Mikhail Kusnirovich said at Thursday's launch that his company's sponsorship and supplies for the Russian Olympic and Paralympic teams were "equivalent to $100 million."
Other Sochi 2014 garb has been rather more strident. Games volunteers will wear rainbow-colored tracksuits designed to represent Russia’s diversity, while the German team unveiled bright yellow-and-blue duffle coats in October.
