Ralph Lauren's stylish uniforms for the US Olympic team, complete with a jaunty beret, have sparked a political row because the red, white and blue outfits were made in China. Following the row, the US Olympic Committee will be changing its policy so as to make the now China-made Team USA's uniforms in the country itself by the next summer games, in 2014. Ralph Lauren, the official maker of the Olympic uniforms, made the pledge in a statement. [Text: Reuters and ANI]
Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long is pictured wearing the 2012 US Olympic team uniform, made by Ralph Lauren. With US unemployment hovering just above 8 percent, politicians have spoken out against the uniforms for the London Games, and six Democratic senators plan to introduce legislation requiring the ceremonial uniforms be produced in the United States.
US Olympic athletes rower Giuseppe Lanzone (L) and swimmer Ryan Lochte are pictured wearing the 2012 US Olympic team uniforms, made by Ralph Lauren. "At a time when too many Americans are looking for work and our manufacturers are closing factories, we need to do everything we can to keep jobs in America," Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey said.
US Olympic athletes (L-R) swimmer Ryan Lochte, decathlete Bryan Clay, rower Giuseppe Lanzone and soccer player Heather Mitts are pictured wearing the 2012 US Olympic team uniforms for the Opening Ceremony, made by Ralph Lauren. The proposal from the six Democratic senators would amend the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, which specifies requirements and rules for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and its members.
US Olympic athlete rower Giuseppe Lanzone is pictured wearing the 2012 US Olympic team uniform, made by Ralph Lauren. Rep. Steve Israel, a Democrat from New York, said the issue was not just about a label, but an economic solution. House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, echoed that criticism. "You'd think they'd know better," Boehner said.
US women's soccer team player Heather Mitts and US fencer Tim Morehouse appear on NBC News' 'Today' show. The US Olympic Committee defended its decision to have Lauren design the outfits and oversee the manufacturing process. "Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the US Olympic Team is privately funded and we're grateful for the support of our sponsors," spokesman Patrick Sandusky said. (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
David Lauren and US women's soccer team player Heather Mitts appear on NBC News' 'Today' show. "We're proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company, and excited to watch America's finest athletes compete at the upcoming Games in London." The USOC urged Americans to "rally around" Team USA athletes who have "dedicated their entire lives to training for this one moment." (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
(l-r) Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales, Al Roker, David Lauren, US women's soccer team player Heather Mitts and US fencer Tim Morehouse appear on NBC News' 'Today' show. Ralph Lauren Corp said in a statement it "promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government addressing the issue of increasing manufacturing in the United States and has committed to producing the Opening and Closing ceremony Team USA uniforms in the United States that will be worn for the 2014 Olympic Games." (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
US women's soccer team player Heather Mitts, David Lauren and US fencer Tim Morehouse appear on NBC News' 'Today' show. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was happy with the move to make Team USA uniforms for the 2014 Olympics in the US. "When America's best athletes are representing our country on the world stage, we should be representing the best of American-made goods," she said. (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
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