Made in China: Politician wants US Olympic uniforms burned

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Published time: July 13, 2012 08:34
Edited time: July 14, 2012 15:09

The Chinese-made uniform for the American Olympic team must be burned, suggests the leader of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid.

­“I think the Olympic Committee should be ashamed of themselves,” Reid said in a statement on YouTube. “I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms and put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.

“If they have to wear nothing, but a singlet saying ‘USA’ on it painted by hand, that’s what they should do,” he added.

The politician pointed out that placing the Olympic uniform order in China “was wrong” as there’s plenty of people in the American textile industry, who are “desperate for jobs”.

The whole outfit thing became one of the rare issues, in which the Democrats and Republics stand united, with representatives of both parties expressing their outrage.

The scandal began after the ABC News reported that the US uniform for London 2012 is manufactured in China and the only American thing in it is the design from Ralph Lauren.

But In a statement the US Olympic Committee defended their choice of designer, who already dressed Team USA for Beijing 2008, making it clear that the outfits for London will stay Chinese.   

"Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the US Olympic Team is privately funded and we're grateful for the support of our sponsors," Patrick Sandusky, USOC spokesman, said in a statement. "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 2012 Summer Olympics are to be held in London between July 27 and August 12, with the Americans considered to be the main rivals to favorites China.