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Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 July, 2004, 08:03 GMT 09:03 UK
What's in the Olympic wardrobe?
By Andrew Fraser
BBC Sport

British divers Tracey Richardson, Leon Taylor, Tony Ally and Peter Waterfield model their Olympic kit
Britain's divers model their gear
Britain's Olympic stars will not have too much trouble deciding what to pack for the trip to Athens.

Every team member will have to fit a mind-boggling 139 items of official kit in their suitcase, leaving little space for lucky rabbits' feet, guidebooks and sun lotion.

The nation's medal hopefuls will even get their own set of GB-branded underwear.

Thongs are standard issue for the ladies, while the gents will be sporting rather more modest boxer shorts.

Both come complete with patriotic Union Jack motif and are designed to go under one of several different outfits for use during the Games.

There is formal wear for the Secretary of State's reception on 11 August, special attire for the opening and closing ceremonies and leisure wear for use around the Olympic village.

Cufflinks, pendants and handbags are all on the list, and the crisp white shirts have stirring images of Britain's gold medal winners from Sydney printed on the inside of the collar.

It all adds up to about 40kg of kit for each of the 270-odd competitors - a grand total of about 50,000 items for the British Olympic Association to distribute.

Carrying out an operation on this scale requires military-style planning, so it is a good job the army are in charge.

I don't want them to worry about their tracksuit not fitting when they are standing on the podium
GB quartermaster
Stephen Farley
Quartermaster Stephen Farley, a semi-retired major who teaches the Combined Cadet Force at Eton College, is now on his eighth kitting-out tour of duty.

His team of five paratroopers from the Colchester-based Seventh Parachute Regiment must make sure every item of kit they hand out from their base at the Earls Court exhibition centre fits to perfection.

Fresh from serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia - and working on the proviso that they could be called back at any time - they are more than up to the task.

"My first full Olympics was the Winter Games at Albertville in 1992, followed by Barcelona, and the first few were pretty nerve-wracking," Major Farley told BBC Sport.

"This year we started by taking delivery of 320 pallets of clothing, and it took us a week to get everything ready to issue.

"For some athletes, this is their first taste of the Olympic Games and I want their stuff to fit them perfectly.

"I don't want them to be worried about their tracksuit not fitting when they are standing on the podium.

Britain's female Olympians are being supplied with official thongs
Britain's female Olympians are being supplied with official thongs
"For them, it all starts to build up from here. They are ready to do the job.

"And if anything gets damaged or stolen, we'll replace it."

When it comes to the Olympics, one size does not fit all.

Farley's team have had to find the right kit for everyone, from Britain's giant rowers right down to the diminutive gymnasts.

That is why they have two seamstresses on duty to make adjustments where necessary.

So far the designs - from the BOA's clothing suppliers Adidas, Ben Sherman and Roots - seem to have gone down well, at least with the diving team.

"It's fantastic," said Tony Ally, who was being kitted out in preparation for his third Games.

"The material feels good and they seem to have adapted it to the weather - it's nice and lightweight.

"There is a bit of an old-fashioned look to some of the clothes, which I like.

"Wearing the official kit makes you feel a bit special and it will be a great feeling when we are all out there together in it."





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