Top athletes present the German Olympic team's outfits for the Summer Games in Paris. Things are getting colorful in France.
Berlin - Decathlon hero Niklas Kaul looked at the Eiffel Tower full of “anticipation” in his new T-shirt, gymnastics star Pauline Schäfer-Betz tested her dress in the splits, and handball hope Juri Knorr scored his first goals with the team Germany logo on the chest.
2024 Olympics in Paris: German team presents their jerseys
With the “fire of passion” on their outfits, the German Olympic team is expected to collect medals in Paris in less than 100 days. But it's not just the athletes fighting for everything at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there's also a lot at stake for the equipment suppliers on the world sports stage, especially a lot of money.
Adidas is equipping a total of 15 national teams at the 2024 Olympics - and wants to score points in competition with its major competitor Nike.
Sports supplier Adidas: jerseys and tracksuits for the German team
“The fact that we as a German company accompany the German movement is very, very special. It’s a collaboration that I hope will last for a long time,” said Adidas CEO Björn Gulden. The Franconian company recently suffered a severe setback and lost the German national soccer team's lucrative equipment to Nike from 2027.
Super cool, these are exactly my colors and especially these shoes - pink, orange - have exactly the colors of my boat.
Olympic canoe champion Ricarda Funk
Adidas presents every athlete with the motto “Our Colors. Now. Forever.” 80 items of clothing are available, including 30 accessories such as sunglasses, socks or shoes. The central element of the collection “is the fire as a symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” as it says in a statement from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). In addition to red, black and white, “Spark” also dominates a yellow/light orange tone.
Summer Games in Paris: Yellow dominates the German Olympic team
“I'm really excited about the colors. I'm not normally a fan of yellow - but this one is really nice," said European sprint champion Gina Lückekemper in an initial assessment of the training and competition clothing: "There are very cool pieces included." And canoe Olympic champion Ricarda Funk said: “Super cool, these are exactly my colors and especially these shoes - pink, orange - have exactly the colors of my boat.”
European champion Kaul, who now wants to fulfill his dream of an Olympic medal after his injury drama in Tokyo, said: “I particularly like the design idea of a flickering flame, which can be found in many parts and always reminds me personally of my big goal .” Beach volleyball player Laura Ludwig is looking forward to it like “a little child” and hopes to make a big splash in her fifth games. And basketball world champion Andreas Obst is again aiming for “maximum success” with the German selection after the title in Manila. The countdown has long since begun.
(SID/pm)