READING, Berks County (WBRE/WYOU) — With the Summer Olympics just a little over two months away, uniforms are currently being prepared at a manufacturer in northeastern Pennsylvania.
It’s a collection of leotards for Team USA gymnasts, and employees are very proud of it, saying it’s more than just clothing.
28/22 News reporter Gianna Galli was recently at Reading’s Goalkeeper Elite.
Workers at GK Elite Manufacturing painstakingly assembled each and every crystal, stitch by stitch, to create the leotards that will be worn by Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It’s a collection that all of us at the company are very proud of.
“We really dug into the trends and tried to make sure that the Olympic collection was connected to the city of Paris, but also came across as Team USA and was very patriotic and powerful,” said Jeanne Diaz, design director at GK Elite.
Design director Jeanne Diaz says it’s something that will be built in stages over many years.
Each gymnast has eight leotards and wears a different one for each event they compete in.
“We have a collaborative environment here, which is really unique to us,” Diaz said.
The leotards are not only beautiful, but are also designed to be comfortable and functional so athletes can perform at their best.
This product is much more than just a uniform.
“We always have the athlete in mind when we design, so we make sure to consider the comfort and performance of the garment. It’s not just a beautiful garment, it’s a functional garment,” Diaz explained.
The design of the U.S. team’s gymnastics leotards is being kept secret until it is unveiled in early July.
28/22 News will make the big announcement after the athletes competing in the Summer Olympics have their first look.
