Advertisement

5 iconic opening ceremony looks from China’s Olympic past that fans love – from ‘all whites’ to a ‘purple wave’

  • Before China parades in Paris we take a look at their sartorial triumphs at past Games, from the elegance of Los Angeles to a dignified entry at Sydney

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Team China was far ahead of the curve by making waves with their lilac athletic cotton jackets at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Photo: Getty Images

While Chinese social media users have expressed disgust over Team China’s Paris Olympics opening ceremony outfits for their “backward gender awareness” and “low aesthetics”, many are diving into a wave of nostalgia instead.

Advertisement

The team uniforms of the Chinese Olympic delegation have predominantly featured a red and white colour scheme, sometimes with yellow – humorously earning the outfits the nickname “tomato scrambled eggs” because of its resemblance to the classic Chinese dish.

However, looking back on the Olympic history of Chinese athletes’ presence since the 1980s, various designs marked the evolution of the nation’s sartorial representation on the global stage, challenging the traditional perception of China’s red-dominated formal sports attire.

Here is a look at five iconic looks in China’s Olympic history before the new millennium.

The 1984 Los Angeles Games marked China’s first appearance at the Olympics since 1952. Photo: AFP
The 1984 Los Angeles Games marked China’s first appearance at the Olympics since 1952. Photo: AFP

1984: Los Angeles Olympics

The Los Angeles Games marked China’s return to the Olympics after more than 30 years.

Advertisement