Hbc Unveils Canadian Team Uniforms for Beijing Games

At a Toronto night club, on a fashion runway resembling an athletic track, the Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc) today unveiled the clothing that Team Canada will wear at the Beijing 2008 Games.

The look: vibrant reds and Chinese symbolism married with Canadian tradition. The Team Canada Beijing Games clothing line is proudly emblazoned with maple leaves, the word Canada written in both English and Mandarin, and uses a primarily red and white colour pallet. Colour inspiration is also drawn from the five elements of Chinese astrology — earth, wood, fire, water and metal — and on some pieces, Chinese symbolism takes the form of the lucky number eight, which, when repeated, makes an attractive pattern.

Athlete focus

Hbc asked 50 Olympians and Paralympians from previous Summer Games what they wanted from the Beijing clothing line. Athletes (mostly from the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games) were shown fabric samples and given a preview of the inspiration behind the clothing. The consensus is that Canadian athletes want clothing that’s as fashionable as it is sporty. They also want fabrics that are comfortable and breathable in Beijing’s anticipated high temperatures.

In response, the Hbc design team created clothing that incorporates performance fabrics that provide UV protection, four-way stretch, odour resistance, and wicking and cooling properties for ultimate comfort. This also happens to be the first eco-friendly uniform designed for Team Canada, using fabrics such as bamboo, Cocona™ (fabric made from recycled coconut shells), cotton blends and organic cotton.

Canadian Jennifer Button, Sydney 2000 Olympian in swimming, and now program manager of marketing for the Canadian Olympic Committee, participated in the athlete focus group.

“For the athletes there are so many things that they’re concerned about when going to a Games, on top of their preparation and training,” said Button. “Clothing can do wonders to boost your self-esteem and really bring the team together.”

Button will attend the Beijing 2008 Games as an athlete services officer for Team Canada — she too will be sporting the Hbc Team Canada clothing.

 “The fabrics and designs are very forward thinking. The design team really took into consideration the climate, both cultures and the varied body types that they will be outfitting at the Games,” added Button. “I can't wait to see all the athletes in their Team Canada gear!”

Canada’s Team members in Beijing will each receive 25 items as part of the 2008 Team package, including leisure wear, jackets, pants and shorts, hoodies, T-shirts, shoes and luggage. They’ll also go home with a few special athlete-only items that will not be available to the public — this includes the parade and podium jackets which will only be unveiled at the Beijing Games.

Supporting Canada’s Olympic hopefuls

As the official clothing and luggage supplier to the Canadian Olympic teams and the official department store partner and general merchandise retailer in Canada until 2012, Hbc also announced donations of $300,000 to the Own the Podium 2010 fund (for Winter Games) and $300,000 to the Road to Excellence fund (for Summer Games). Both funds are part of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s plan to create world-class programs, policies and financing that will help place Canada among the top nations at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Hbc has a proud history of supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games and athletes in Canada,” said Hbc president, Rob Johnston. “It is with great pleasure that we once again show our pride by outfitting the Canadian Olympic team, as well as providing financial support in their quest for gold at the Beijing Summer Games.”

Continued commitment to Canadian athletes

 The Hbc Foundation has also committed to raising $20 million through 2012 to help fund Canada’s athletes, their training facilities and their national sports organizations. To date, the Company has already raised nearly $6 million toward its goal.

Canadians can help Hbc raise funds on Canada Day (July 1) at the Hbc Run for Canada, a 10-kilometre run, 3-kilometre walk or 1-kilometre kids’ run in 15 communities across Canada or through proceeds from the sale of Olympic replica-merchandise and accessories. Funds are also raised at an annual charity golf tournament.

Hbc has outfitted Canada’s Winter Olympic teams in Games past. The iconic Hudson’s Bay multi-stripe coat was the official uniform for Canadian Olympic Teams at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936 (alpine team only), Squaw Valley 1960, Innsbruck 1964 and Grenoble 1968 Winter Games. More recently, Hbc outfitted the Canadian team at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

Team Canada replica wear

You don’t need to be Beijing-bound to get your hands on the Team Canada gear. For the rest of us, there will be a replica line of clothing available May 1 in Bay and Zellers stores, and a limited selection of merchandise available through Home Outfitters, across Canada as well as online at hbc.com.