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Olympic Fashion Through The Years

From Greece to Rio, check out the evolution of our Olympic style

Rio 2016

(L-R) Ken Wallace, Jessica Fox, Annette Edmondson, Ed Jenkins, Kaarle McCulloch, Joshua Dunkley-Smith, Charlotte Caslick, Penny Taylor, Taliqua Clancy, Jamie Dwyer and Louise Bawden pose in their Australian opening ceremony uniforms during formal uniform launch on March 30, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. 

Athlete in red USA uniform celebrates with baton on a track, arms raised, at the London 2012 Olympics.

London 2012

Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States celebrates winning the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Final of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.

London 2012

Canada just falls short of the podium in Team Synchronized Swimming finishing fourth the final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatic Centre in London.

Australian women's field hockey team celebrating on a blue field, wearing yellow uniforms, holding sticks.

London 2012

Women’s Hockey match between Australia and China on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Riverbank Arena Hockey Centre.

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Seven softball players from Japan's team stand in a line on the field, wearing uniforms and caps, facing forward.

Beijing 2008

The Japan softball team lines up before the women’s gold medal game against the United States. Beijing Olympic games, China, 2008.

Beijing 2008

Aliya Garayeva of Azerbaijan competes in the Individual All-Around final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Athens 2004

Alice Mills, Lisbeth Lenton, Petria Thomas and Jodie Henry of Australia win gold medal and set a new WR in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final at the Olympic Aquatic Centre during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Greece, 2004.

Athens 2004

Lauren Jackson of Australia in Women’s Gold Medal Match during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Greece , 2004.

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Sydney 2000

Tamara Larrea and Dalixia Fernandez of Cuba celebrate during the Olympic Women’s Beach Volleyball competition at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on September 18, 2000.

Sydney 2000

Torchbearer Cathy Freeman of Australia prepares to light the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia.

Sydney 2000

Cathy Freeman of Australia in action during the Women’s 400m final held at Olympic Stadium during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia.

Sydney 2000

The Australian Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia. 

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The Magnificent Seven gymnasts in team jackets raising flowers, each wearing a gold medal.

Atlanta 1996

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team members, left to right, Amanda Borden, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug, wave to the crowd after winning the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Atlanta 1996

The Australian women’s hockey team playing against Great Britain at Clark Atlanta University. Australia won 1-0 during the 1996 Olympic Games Atlanta Georgia.

Australian men's swimming team on podium with medals and flowers in green and yellow jackets at an event.

Atlanta 1996

Mens 4 x 100 medley relay team from Australia at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Centre at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta Games.

Barcelona 1992

Silver medalists in the tennis Men’s Doubles, Wayne Ferreira (left) and Piet Norval of South Africa, at the final during the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, 7th August 1992.

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Barcelona 1992

Members of the Spanish Women’s Field Hockey team celebrate after scoring their first goal before beating Germany 2 – 1 in the final of the Women’s field hockey at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Seoul 1988

The USA 100km Time Trial team in action at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Tennis player in mid-action, swinging a racquet on a court, wearing a white outfit, with spectators in the background.

Seoul 1988

Argentine tennis player Gabriela Sabatini during the quarter finals of the Women’s singles tennis event.  

Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, 1988. 

seoul 1988

Florence Griffith-Joyner of the USA prepares for the 100m during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea.  

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Los angeles 1984

Bronze Miwako Motoyoshi (top) and Saeko Kimura (bottom) celebrate after competing in the Synchronized Swimming Duet final during the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games on August 9, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles 1984

Outfit designed by Levi Strauss to be worn during the opening ceremonies for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.

Los Angeles 1984

Members of the Australian Olympic swimming team. (L-R) Mike Delaney, Greg Fasala, Mark Stockwell and Neil Brooks – nicknamed ‘The Mean Machine’ at the Summer Olympics Los Angeles, USA, 1984. 

Los Angeles 1984

Australian Athletes march in the opening ceremony parade at the Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, California.1984.

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A large group of women in pink outfits perform a synchronized dance at a stadium event.

Moscow 1980

Opening Ceremony for the 1980 Olympic Games, Moscow.

Two women in matching American flag swimsuits walk arm-in-arm beside an Olympic pool, surrounded by empty yellow seats.

Montreal 1976

TEAM USA SWIMSUITS. SUMMER OLYMPICS, MONTREAL 1976.

Montreal 1976

Bruce Jenner of the USA celebrates during his record setting performance in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

Munich 1972

Australian athlete Shane Gould waves a stuffed kangeroo after gaining first gold medal at the Summer Olympics. Munich, 1972.

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Munich 1972

Bernd Kannenberg of West Germany, winner of the 50 km walk in the 1972 Summer Olympics, Munich, Germany.

Munich 1972

American swimmer Mark Spitz with the seven gold medals he won at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Canadian Olympic team in red blazers and white hats marching in a stadium during the 1976 Games opening ceremony.

Munich 1972

Opening ceremony of Summer Olympics. Munich 1972.

Mexico 1968

Mexico’s Norma Enriqueta Basilio, the first woman in the history of the modern Olympic Games to light the Olympic Fire, runs up the ninety steps with the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremonies on October 12, 1968.

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Four female athletes in 1967 England sports uniforms, smiling on a track field.

Mexico 1968

The British women’s 4x100m relay team; (L-R) Valerie Peat, Janet Simpson, Delia James and Maureen Tranter, pictured during training for the Olympic Games in Mexico, September 1968.

Mexico 1968

A model wearing the uniform, designed by Hardy Amies to be worn by female British athletes in the parade at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, 11th June 1968.

Group of people in matching uniforms and hats posing on a track in a stadium setting.

Mexico 1968

A group of models wearing uniforms, designed by Hardy Amies, to be worn by British athletes in the parade at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, 11th June 1968.

A line of five women in blue USA tracksuits posing in front of stadium statues, likely at an Olympic event.

Rome 1960

US athletes at Summer Olympics. Rome 1960.

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Rome 1960

The winners of the 1960 Olympic medals for light heavyweight boxing on the winners’ podium at Rome: Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) (C), gold; Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland (R), silver; and Giulio Saraudi (Italy) and Anthony Madigan (Australia), joint bronze. Rome 1960.

Melbourne 1956

Soviet Larissa Latynina performs her routine on the beam during the Olympic Games in Melbourne, December 1956.

Young athlete sitting on grass, wearing a numbered sports jersey, during a sporting event. Black and white photo.

Melbourne 1956

Gunhild Larking, 20, Sweden’s entry for the high jump, pensively awaiting her turn to compete at the Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956.

Melbourne 1956

Wrestler V. Maneev of Russia preparing to compete at the Olympics in Melbourne 1956.

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Diver in a striped swimsuit performing a pike dive against a clear sky.

Helsinki 1952

U.S Patricia McCormick seen during the ladies diving at the Olympic pool, Helsinki, on July 30, 1952. 

Helsinki 1952

Basketball match between Russia and Brazil, won by Russia. Helsinki 1952.

Gymnasts in numbered leotards walk in line at a USSR event, with a sign holder in front and crowd in background.

Helsinki 1952

Russia’s female gymnasts marching up for medals at 1952 Olympics.

Helsinki 1952

First, second and third place sprint relay teams at the 1952 Olympics Helsinki.

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Black and white photo of a female athlete crossing the finish line in a race, with others behind her in a stadium.

London 1948

Photo shows Fanny Blanker-Koen (Holland) as she becomes the first triple champion of the 14th Olympic Games at London, England.1948.

London 1948

US diver Zoe Ann Olsen preparing for springboard dive. London, 1948.

London 1948

Marian Barone of the USA on the balance beam during the gymnastics events at the London Olympic Games, 12th August 1948. Looking on are other members of the American team.

Five women in swimsuits holding large hoops, standing in a line against a clear sky, evoking the Olympic rings.

Berlin 1936

Berlin 1936.

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Berlin 1936

Jesse Owens (USA) won 4 gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Berlin in 1936.

Berlin 1936

The victorious womens swimming teams from Holland (centre), the USA (right) and Germany striding out to the victory ceremony. Berlin Olympics – 1936.

A group of women in matching white suits and hats walk arm-in-arm outside a large stone building.

Berlin 1936

This picture shows the Hungarian women track and field athletes arm in arm under the columned entrance to the Olympic stadium. Berlin Olympics – 1936.

Berlin 1936

Victorious Relay Runners (America, Italy) at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, 1936. 

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A male athlete in a USA swimsuit stands poolside, looking away, at a sporting event.

Los Angeles 1932

Buster Crabbe of the United States loosens up his tank suit after winning gold in the 400-meter freestyle event at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, 1932.

Los Angeles 1932

Left to right are Stella Walsh of Poland, Hilda Strike of Canada and Wilhelmina Von Bremen of the United States.

Los Angeles 1932

Los Angeles 1932.

Amsterdam 1928

Diver Klara Bornett from Austria during the Olympic Summer Games in Amsterdam 1928.

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Group of women exercising with clubs in sync on a wooden platform inside a stadium.

Amsterdam 1928

Shown at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics is the Dutch Women’s Gymnastics team.

Amsterdam 1928

Helene Meyer of Germany who was awarded the first prize in the fencing matches at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. 1928.

Amsterdam 1928

Canadian athlete Ethel Catherwood who won the women’s High Jump at the Olympics in Amsterdam.

6th August 1928.

Paris 1924

Hawaii’s trio of great swimmers, Sam, Dave and Duke Kahanamoku at the Paris tank for the Olympic elimination swimming trials. Paris, France, July 16, 1924.

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Four athletes wearing USA uniforms, numbered 254, 204, 255, and 245, stand on a track field with spectators behind.

Paris 1924

Members of the American 400-meter relay team, which established a new world record of 41 1/5 seconds for the event, pose at Colombes Stadium. The quartet (shown L-R) are: Hussey, Clarke, Loren Murchison, and Alf Leconey. Paris,France.

Antwerp 1920

Suzanne Lenglen of France competes in the Women’s tennis event during the VII Olympic Games circa April of 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Three women in 1920s athletic outfits with USA emblems, holding American flags, wearing cloche hats.

Antwerp 1920

Aileen Riggin, Gertrude Ederle, and Helen Wainright stand in their Olympic team uniforms and hold American flags, after returning from the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp.

Antwerp 1920

A group of US Olympic Athletes posing together in their uniforms.

11/5/1920 Antwerp, Belgium.

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Antwerp 1920

Girls taking part in a parade at the opening ceremony of the Antwerp Olympics, 20th April 1920.

Two women in early 1900s swimsuits and swim caps stand on a wooden deck by a building.

Stockholm 1912

Australian swimmer Mina Wylie (left) and Fanny Durack. The pair competed in the 100m freestyle swimming event, the first time in Olympic history that it was open to female athletes–Durack took the Gold medal and Wylie took Silver. 1912.

Stockholm 1912

The Swedish rowing eight about to go out for a practice at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics

Six women form a human pyramid, performing gymnastics on a field in early 1900s attire.

London 1908

Six Danish gymnasts in formation during the 1908 London Olympics.

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London 1908

Women archers participating in the National Round (60 yards -50 yards) at the 1908 London Olympics, which was won by Sybil ‘Queenie’ Newall of Great Britain

A gymnast in mid-air above a vaulting horse at an early 1900s outdoor competition, with spectators in the background.

London 1908

A danish gymnast performing a perfect dismount from a pommel horse during the 1908 London Olympics

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St. Louis 1904

Full-length portrait of Felix Carvajal de Soto, Cuban athlete, who competed in the marathon, standing on the track of an athletic field in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1904 Olympic Games.

Black and white photo of a historical sports team with some members in uniforms featuring the letter "P".
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Paris 1900

American contestants in the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris pose in the Bois de Boulogne.

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Greece 1896

Robert Garrett of the USA wins the gold in the discus event during the I Olympic Games circa April of 1896 in Athens, Greece

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