Katin Heads to the Olympics
Top designers Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney designed uniforms for the American and British teams, respectively, for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and venerable California boardshort maker Katin USA is getting into the Olympic spirit, too.
On March 21, Katin USA announced that it will supply boardshorts and lifestyle clothing to the USA Water Polo men’s national team. The team will compete in swimwear made by the Turbo label, which manufactures suits with a proprietary chlorine-resistant material. Poolside, in gyms and knocking about the Olympic athletes’ village, the American water polo team members will wear Katin USA boardshorts, khaki shorts, button-down shirts, compression tops and technical workout tees.
“Katin USA epitomizes the active, healthy, aquatic culture of the California lifestyle,” said Jen Rottenberg, chief marketing officer for USA Water Polo. She added, “We couldn’t think of a better company or brand to provide both lifestyle and dry-land workout gear for the U.S. men’s water polo team—total synchronicity.”
The team’s first Olympic match is scheduled for July 29.
Surfwear manufacturers might get future opportunities to design Olympic uniforms. The International Surfing Association has been campaigning since the 1990s for surfing to become an Olympic sport. ISA President Fernando Aguerre said there might be a chance for surfing to hold an exhibition at an Olympic event after the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.—Andrew Asch
