Published: 10:33, March 24, 2024 | Updated: 12:34, March 24, 2024
Paris 2024 volunteers' uniform pays tribute to French mariniere
By Reuters

Performers present the outfits for the volunteers of Paris 2024 Olympic Games on stage during the Games' volunteers convention held at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris on March 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

PARIS - The Paris 2024 volunteers' uniforms pay tribute to the French "mariniere", with black stripes on a turquoise background the star piece of the 15-item equipment.

The kits, which feature the striped t-shirt, trousers, socks and a sun hat, were unveiled on Saturday at the Volunteers' Convention. About 20,000 volunteers for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games attended the event, which marked the first offline activity of the Paris Olympic volunteer program.

Some items have a flashy touch to them.

"It's very important for us that they (the volunteers) are visible in the crowd," said Joachim Roncin, design director of Paris 2024.

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"The mariniere was the first creative base. We had to give it some modernity and make it more sporty."

French President of the Paris Organising Committee of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Tony Estanguet presents on stage an outfit for the volunteers of Paris 2024 Olympic Games during the Games' volunteers convention held at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris on March 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Some 53 percent of the kits are made in France, with the rest being made "mostly in Vietnam", according to Virginie Sainte Rose, director of the partnership between Paris 2024 and manufacturer Decathlon.

Some Paris 2024 licensed products, however, are made in Bangladesh and sold by Carrefour, Kiabi and Fanatics.

Carrefour told Reuters it would provide them with details of their production chain while Kiabi and Fanatics have not responded to requests for details.

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The uniforms' color scheme matches the visual identity of the Paris Olympics, with green being the primary color for short-sleeved shirts and trousers, inspired by the color atop the Opera Garnier, hence dubbed "Opera Green".

"Designing the outfit for the 45,000 volunteers for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a source of great pride for Decathlon, because they are passionate women and men who, like us, provide access to sport and allow everyone to fully experience this planetary event," said Barbara Martin Coppola, general director of Decathlon.

"Through a range of eco-designed clothing that is both trendy and functional and displays our new visual identity, we will be keen to share our expertise and our passion for sport with millions of people around the world."

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The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee revealed they have received over 300,000 volunteer applications. Of the 45,000 selected volunteers, there is an equal gender split, with more than five percent being persons with disabilities and 20 percent from abroad.

"The volunteers are one of the most crucial parts of the Olympic family. We can't wait to see these emotions. But all this is not possible without tens of thousands of volunteers. We can't do the Games without you," said Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet.

 "Having so many international volunteers also proves our success. It's a global celebration, and naturally, we have volunteers from all over the world. I want to express my gratitude to them," he added.

The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to Aug 11, with the Paralympic Games from Aug 28 to Sept 8.


With Xinhua inputs