In case you haven’t heard, the U.S. Olympic team recently released their uniforms for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, and the release has left a lot of critics in its wake. The uniforms were designed by none other than Ralph Lauren- a brand bred out of the American legacy of tradition and craftsmanship. However, despite the origins of the brand, like the other products of the company, the actual uniforms were made in China. Wide-spread speculation has crossed throughout the country, and Congress, that the U.S. uniforms should in fact be made in the U.S.A. 4 years ago this same debate was brought to attention when Ralph Lauren created uniforms that were once again made in China. So the question is, is it the responsibility of our Olympic team to represent our country through American-made uniforms?
Many Congressman think so. In recent years, companies (like us) have been moving their manufacturing factories back to the U.S. There’s a sense of pride to say that your products are 100% Made In USA- the labor, the craftsmanship, and the high quality all reflect what our country has to offer. And people are looking, and need, these textile/manufacturing jobs in the country. If the U.S. is so proud of what our manufacturing has to offer, why would the U.S. Olympic team wear China made products? That is the question being raised. Some Congressmen went so far as to say that the “uniforms should be “put in a pile and burned.”
But the Olympic team has a different view. In a response to the heightened criticism, a U.S. Olympic committee representative said, “The U.S. Olympic team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors. We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company.” ( L.A. Times)
The question is, how far is too far? When does International manufacturing begin to tear away at American pride? When would we ever think that the Olympics could cut down our patriotism- instead of elevate it? Our uniforms is the answer.
What is your opinion? Do you think that our uniforms should be Made in USA- or is everyone making a big deal out of nothing? Tell us what you think!
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I think Schoolhouse and other clothing manufacturers who are focused on American made should have been used. It just saddens me to think about how many people looked over the uniforms and were involved in the discussion and no one seemed to make the case for producing the clothing in the US before the uniforms were made. Ralph Lauren has sold the “American look” successfully around the world but unlike so many other things in our world, you cannot just look like an Olympic athlete, you have to do the work and make the sacrifices to completely be an athlete. By developing a “uniform” which mimics a look rather than really being American, the Olympic committee has done a disservice to our athletes and our country.