Uniform firm kits out Team GB ahead of Tokyo Olympics

Manchester-based uniform company, Simon Jersey, is preparing to provide Team GB with bespoke suits for the Tokyo Olympics.

British Olympians Elinor Barker, Dan Bibby and Mahama Cho revealed Team GB’s official formal wear for the first time during a launch event at the company’s headquarters, ahead of the delayed Summer Games, which open on July 23.

As the official formal wear supplier to Team GB for the third consecutive Olympic Games, Simon Jersey’s specially designed suits will be worn by athletes, coaches and staff at all formal engagements.

Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion cyclist, Elinor Barker, was the first to showcase the chic blue slim-cut trouser suit, complemented with a red low tie blouse and matching clutch bag, which will be worn by Britain’s female Olympians.

She was joined by fellow Team GB athletes, Dan Bibby, whose rugby sevens side won silver at Rio 2016, and taekwondo star, Mahama Cho, who competed at Rio 2016 and secured a silver medal in the World Taekwondo Championships a year later.

They unveiled the formal wear for Britain’s male athletes, which includes a stylish slim fitting blue suit, paired with a white shirt and blue tie.

Blending a modern style with sleek cuts to flatter an athletic physique, the bespoke formal wear, embroidered with the iconic Team GB logo, is made with smooth, comfortable fabric and a water-repellent Teflon finish.

To ensure the suits are a perfect fit, Simon Jersey will welcome Team GB to Kitting Out, where a pop-up tailor’s shop will be staged at Birmingham NEC in June.

Planned to precision, with strict government guidelines in place, the fortnight-long fitting event will allow up to 1,000 athletes, coaches and staff to be kitted out with their official suits, ready for the Games. A team of three fitters will provide each member of Team GB with a 15-minute fit, while two machinists will be on hand to make any necessary on-the-spot alterations, equipping them with a well fitted suit in less than 45 minutes.

Simon Jersey managing director, Matthew Stead, said: “Dressing Team GB is a real privilege and it’s down to us to make sure our Olympic athletes look and feel their best during formal engagements. Our team is highly experienced in working alongside Team GB and formal wear for the Tokyo Olympics has been specially designed with athletic body shapes in mind, delivering both comfort and style in equal measures.

“Our preparations for the postponed Olympic Games began in 2019 and with the challenge of a significantly extended time frame between our first sizing sessions and final fittings, we’re going to great lengths to make sure each and every suit is a perfect fit.”

He added: “We’re incredibly excited about seeing Team GB suited and booted in Simon Jersey formal wear to enhance their winning reputation. I’m sure they will do us proud, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.”

In recognition of their hard work, proud colleagues at Simon Jersey were invited to take part in a Q&A session with Team GB, which was livestreamed to those working remotely, as the athletes showcased their suits. However, one member of the team is already brimming with pride as she prepares to cheer on GB Taekwondo star, Mahama Cho, who is her partner of four years.

Speaking about her excitement for the Tokyo Olympics, Samantha Douglas, senior account manager at Simon Jersey, said: “We’re all rooting for Team GB and it will be a super proud moment to see Cho and the rest of the athletes wearing suits designed by my colleagues at Simon Jersey. We’ve waited such a long time for the Games to begin and I can’t wait to finally be able to cheer on Cho and Team GB this summer.”

British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: “Simon Jersey have been a valued partner of Team GB over a long period of time, providing the formal wear for three Olympic or Olympic Winter Games. Each suit, designed for our athletes, has provided a great, classy look and this one is no different, catering for the wide variety of athletes within Team GB.

“Today’s launch and the various team announcements taking place at the moment, continue to build the anticipation and excitement for the start of the Games, which is just under two months away.”

Simon Jersey is a uniform company which provides workwear across all industries from beauty to healthcare, business and hospitality. Combining function and style, Simon Jersey strives to design practical uniforms and workwear to flatter all body shapes.

The company, founded in 1971, manufactures more than two million garments under the Simon Jersey brand every year. As well as providing formal wear for Team GB, Simon Jersey also works with businesses of all sizes from small independent companies to large global brands. Clients include Ladbrokes, the NHS, Hilton and Pets at Home.