(Refiles to correct the spelling of Torres Strait in 8th paragraph)
By Nick Mulvenney
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia unveiled the kit its athletes will wear at this year’s Paris Olympics on Thursday with Chef de Mission Anna Meares hailing the distinctly indigenous design as an “impressive milestone”.
The uniform for the skateboarding team in Tokyo three years ago featured First Nations patterns and Meares said it had proved so popular that the decision had been made to extend it across the entire range for Paris.
“It’s the oldest living culture in the world and we should be very proud of that,” former champion cyclist Meares told reporters.
“This is the first time the Australian Olympic team will have indigenous design across its competition and delegation wear uniform, it’s a really impressive milestone.”
Meares won two golds, a silver and three bronze medals over four Olympics and said feeling comfortable in the green and gold kit would be vitally important for the 480 athletes Australia hopes to take to Paris in July and August.
“The whole ‘look good, feel good’ thing for me is a really strong mantra for an athlete,” she added.
“With this uniform comes a reputation for the Australian Olympians, that we are revered and respected on the international sporting scene. And there’s a real pride in earning the right to wear this green.”
The kits were designed by Japanese manufacturer ASICS and feature artwork created by 2008 Olympic boxer Paul Fleming and Torres Strait islander David Bosun.
Appropriately for an Olympics held in the home of haute couture, Australian athletes will for the first time have the option of wearing a dress in team colours.
“I know the girls are going to be really excited to be able to wear a dress,” said 2016 Olympic Rugby Sevens champion Charlotte Caslick, who was modelling the green frock at the ceremony beside Sydney harbour.
“The conditions in Paris are going to be quite hot and humid and just having something lightweight to chuck on is perfect for when we’re over there.”
Meares said she was fully confident that France would deliver a safe Games, even as plans for the opening ceremony along the River Seine are being revised for security reasons.
She was also confident that the famous waterway will be cleaned up sufficiently for the open water swimming and triathlon to take place without health concerns.
“This is a legacy piece for the Paris Games as well as Parisians as haven’t been able to swim in the river for 70 years,” she said.
“And so the goal isn’t just to allow competition for the Olympics but to give back something to Parisians as a place that they can enjoy the river going forward.”
Meares will be leading the Australian delegation for the first time in Paris and conceded she was having a few jitters as the July 26 opening ceremony got closer.
“I’ll be honest, I’m a bit nervous,” Meares said.
“I’ve got sweaty palms even just standing here talking about the Games being in 141 days time and I’ve been retired for nearly eight years.”
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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