On January 22 in the equipping center located in the ZASPORT flagship store on Novy Arbat, 26, the process of equipping Russian athletes, to go to Pyeongchang, was launched. Athletes will be issued two sets of equipment: neutral, with OAR (Olympic athlete from Russia) logo, and Olympic, with Russian national symbols. We are negotiating with the International Olympic Committee the possibility to allow our team to wear the uniform with the Russian flag and national emblem at the closing ceremony of the Games.
Athletes, going to the Olympics in South Korea, will be supplied with the Olympic apparel between January 22 and February 7. Every day athletes, representatives of federations, official delegations and guests of honor will come to the Outfit center. On the first day of work skaters, skiers and short trackers received the outfit. So now ZASPORT has feedback not only about the sketches, but also about the final items.
Anastasia Zadorina, ZASPORT founder and chief designer: “We tried very hard to create the most comfortable, convenient, modern and fashionable uniform with the use of national symbols and, judging by the assessments of those for whom it was intended, we coped with this task. Of course, it is a pity that the athletes can’t go to the Games in the tricolor, but neither we nor they can change the situation. We had make a lot of changes in the shortest period of time, but I think we did a good job. Athletes’ opinion is paramount to us now, and I’m glad they are happy, many appreciated the new sports clothing”.
The IOC also prohibited any resemblance of the Russian national flag on uniforms. So ZASPORT left grey as the main color and added red and white. The approval procedure of the neutral form took several weeks. First ZASPORT sent sketches for consideration, then the representative at the meeting in Lausanne showed samples and these received not a single remark.
Kit include: parka, jacket, tracksuits, t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, winter boots, warm shoes, hats, gloves, socks, backpack. Individual items will be available, the cost will be no higher than the ZASPORT sports line.
