NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The United States Olympic Committee and Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) announced today an agreement designating Polo Ralph Lauren as an Official Outfitter of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Under this agreement, Polo Ralph Lauren has designed the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits for the U.S. Teams, in addition to an assortment of village wear pieces to be provided to the U.S. Teams.
The Official Opening Ceremony Parade Outfits will not be unveiled to the public until the Opening Ceremony on August 8, 2008 -- when they will be viewed in front of a global audience. Worldwide viewership of the Beijing Games could exceed four billion, which would be the largest audience ever to view the Olympic Games.
Recalling the history of the Olympic Games and in keeping with the honor and tradition associated with this historic event, Polo Ralph Lauren will bring an elegant and contemporary style to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The Opening Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect the heritage and sensibility of the 1920s and 1930s with a tailored and modern silhouette. The Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect a sportier aesthetic.
"We are both thrilled and honored to join with the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams to contribute to the most esteemed sporting event in history. As our athletes take to this world stage they are representing the best of America and we are proud to be a part of that," said David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren.
"As we discussed ideas about who could best outfit our athletes in a manner representative of the Olympic Movement and what it stands for today, we believe Ralph Lauren is uniquely suited to deliver an outstanding product," said U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Operating Officer Norman Bellingham. "Polo Ralph Lauren is a quintessential American brand that represents a timeless and classic look which we believe our athletes will be excited to wear."
Apparel from the entire Polo Ralph Lauren U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team Parade Outfit collection will be available for purchase in the United States - - with the official men's Parade Outfit tie in numbered, limited editions -- as well as a collection, comprised of the designs represented in the athlete village wear pieces, inspired by and celebrating the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. All products will be available for sale in June in Polo Ralph Lauren retail stores, select department stores, and RalphLauren.com, with select items available on the U.S. Olympic Committee website (www.usolympicteam.com).
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with an estimated three million domestic and overseas visitors traveling to Beijing for the Games and an estimated four billion viewers watching 24-hour, worldwide-televised coverage. For more information on the Games, please log on to http://www.usoc.org/ www.usolympicteam.com.
ABOUT POLO RALPH LAUREN
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 40 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Ralph Lauren Purple Label", "Ralph Lauren Collection", "Black Label", "Blue Label", "Lauren by Ralph Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co.", "RRL", "RLX", "Rugby", "Ralph Lauren Childrenswear", "American Living", "Chaps", and "Club Monaco" among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com .
ABOUT THE U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games.
Media Contacts:
Polo Ralph Lauren
Ryan Lally
Director of Corporate Communications
212-318-7116
Ryan.Lally@poloralphlauren
U.S. Olympic Committee
Nicole Saunches
Manager, Marketing Communications
719.866.2236
Nicole.Saunches@usoc.org
SOURCE Polo Ralph Lauren
International News / Press Release source: PR Newswire
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