Crew GB athletes will put on the standard Union Jack on their equipment at this summer time’s Olympics – regardless of the row over the redesigned ‘flag’ used on chosen merchandise.
Following a rebranding train final yr, Crew GB have launched a variety of merchandise on their on-line store wherein the Union Jack has been altered utilizing completely different shades of crimson, white and blue, together with a sequence of patterns.
Bathtub-based company Thisaway, who got here up with the idea, stated they wished to ‘discover a approach of refreshing Crew GB’s color palette’ as a result of it was ‘removed from distinctive’, prompting a backlash from politicians and the general public.
Nonetheless, Crew GB insist the brand new pink and purple design is not going to characteristic on their equipment for Paris 2024, which was made two years in the past and might be launched later this month.
A spokesperson instructed Mail Sport: ‘All Crew GB athletes will put on the Union Jack as regular in Paris.’
Additionally in the present day, former British athlete Fatima Whitbread stated she was ‘completely disgusted’ by the brand new merchandise as a result of the Union Jack ‘represents the whole lot that embraces what’s good about our nation as years have passed by’.
Crew GB’s rebrand of the Union Jack colors, choosing pink and purple, has confronted a backlash
The brand new Crew GB Union Jack branding which options pink and purple colors on the flag
Crew GB athlete Keely Hodgkinson celebrates with the Union Jack after successful silver within the ladies’s 800 metres on the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August final yr
The Crew GB flag furore comes only a fortnight after the backlash over the brand new Nike England soccer shirt, which modified the color of the crimson St George’s Cross on the again of the collar.
Whitbread, who received two Olympic medals within the javelin, instructed GB Information in the present day: ‘I am completely disgusted to suppose they’ve achieved it. It represents our late Queen. It represents the whole lot that embraces what’s good about our nation as years have passed by.
‘I really feel strongly about that. No approach ought to they’ve simply gone forward and altered the nation’s symbolic colors. It’s about nationwide satisfaction and unity.
‘Pink, white, and blue, it has been that for 223 years, so why change it? Why is there a necessity to alter it simply due to different international locations?
‘Our forefathers went to battle for us and fought for all of the various things that we stand for now, that should not simply be worn out both. A Union Jack is what it is all about for me – and it ought to be for these youthful ones.’
Nonetheless, sources insist the Adidas Olympic equipment is unlikely to immediate additional controversy, in contrast to the London 2012 sportswear, when designer Stella McCartney took out the crimson in a deconstructed Union flag.
A Crew GB water bottle that includes the brand new Union Jack rebrand forward of the Paris Olympics
The launch of the official Paris 2024 equipment ought to assist diffuse a row which has erupted this week regardless of Crew GB launching their rebrand final June.
Explaining the idea on the time, Thisaway stated: ‘Clearly crimson, white and blue is synonymous with Nice Britain, nevertheless it’s removed from distinctive, with different competing nations similar to France and USA additionally sporting the identical colors.
‘We wanted to discover a approach of refreshing Crew GB’s color palette in a approach that’s each versatile and ownable.
‘Reasonably than attempting to look past the standard colors, we determined to embrace them and push the enduring crimson white and blue so far as we may.
‘The result’s a vibrant and various color palette that has the flexibility to be restrained and conventional in a single breath, and daring and modern within the subsequent.’
Crew GB are promoting ‘supporters flags’ with the brand new color scheme for £12 on their on-line store, in addition to bunting for £13. The T-shirts are £26.50.
The design can also be obtainable on different merchandise together with T-shirts, towels and bottles.
Rishi Sunak in the present day repeated a warning that sports activities equipment producers ‘should not mess’ with nationwide flags amid the row.
Downing Avenue reiterated the Prime Minister’s view that the UK’s nationwide flags are ‘good as they’re’ after the controversy lower than a fortnight in the past over a redesigned St George’s Cross on the England males’s soccer shirt for Euro 2024 in Germany.
The brand new rebrand is featured on flags, bunting and T-shirts obtainable to buy on the web site
Requested concerning the new Crew GB merchandise following a rebrand of the Union Jack to now incorporate pink and purple colors, a Quantity 10 spokeswoman instructed reporters in the present day: ‘I’ve not spoken to him concerning the particular Crew GB equipment.
‘He was requested beforehand about equipment and he stated his common view is that in terms of our nationwide flags we should not mess with them. They’re a supply of satisfaction, identification, who we’re and he thinks they’re good as they’re.
‘As he stated on the time, in relation to the Euros equipment, the PM is liable for many issues however the Euros equipment and the Crew GB equipment aren’t one.’
The brand new rebrand has been met with a backlash from sports activities followers and former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
He instructed The Solar: ‘It feels that nothing is held sacred lately within the UK. Our nationwide flag has been symbolic for a few years and will by no means be modified.’
And Malcom Farrow, president of the Flag Institute charity, stated he did not ‘approve’ of the ‘nationwide image of unity’ being ‘defaced’.
It comes after Mr Sunak voiced his dislike of the multi-coloured St George’s Cross on England’s new equipment final month, saying we ‘mustn’t mess’ with nationwide flags.
The FA and Nike defended modifications to the St George’s Cross on the England shirt final month
The Prime Minister joined a refrain of criticism from former England gamers, politicians and followers, who condemned producer Nike and the Soccer Affiliation over the brand new blue, purple and crimson design.
Requested concerning the redesign on a go to to Derbyshire final month, Mr Sunak, who helps Southampton FC, stated: ‘I would desire the unique (flag) and my common view is that in terms of the nationwide flags we should always not mess with them as a result of they’re a supply of satisfaction and identification – who we’re – and they’re good as they’re.’
Nike stated the brand new blue, crimson and purple flag represented a ‘playful replace’ whereas cuffs in the identical colors had been meant as a homage to the 1966 World Cup successful squad’s coaching equipment.
The colors are much like these of the bisexual satisfaction flag – blue, pink and purple.
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer stated the England flag is a ‘unifier’ which ‘would not want fixing’.
One other ex-England goalkeeper, David Seaman, stated he believed many in his era of gamers would have refused to put on it.
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer stated the England flag is a ‘unifier’ which ‘would not want fixing’
However Nike and the FA defended the change, with a spokesman for the latter saying the brand new equipment had a ‘variety of design components’ paying tribute to the 1966 World Cup winners.
