Oh no, they've turned the Union flag blue! Team GB models new Olympics 2012 kit designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas
By MAYSA RAWI
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Stella McCartney has defended her choice to feature a blue Union flag on the official Team GB kit for the 2012 Olympics after it was met with public outrage.
Produced by Stella McCartney for Adidas, the range, modelled by various athletes including Jessica Ennis, has been themed around a blue and white flag - effectively eliminating the St George and St Patrick crosses from the design.
This evening the designer justified her design, responding to criticism on her Twitter account.
Scroll down for video of the launch
Jessica Ennis models the new Olympics 2012 kit, designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas
She wrote: 'I see many feel as strongly about the Union flag as I do! The design actually uses more red & shows more flag than any Team GB kit since '84.'
The kit has been met with heavy criticism, with many taking to the internet to question the design, with some branding the range a 'massive fail' for not sticking to national colours.
Although the kit does feature some red - on the trainers and socks - the shade has been used predominately as a trim and not as part of the flag.
Stella Team, posing with Team GB athletes, said she was inspired by the Union flag, but wanted to give it a more 'modern' feel
The uniform was unveiled at the official launch at the Tower of London today
The new looks were unveiled on Facebook today, prompting users to express their anger.
One member commented: 'Massive fail!!!! These are not our national colours!!!! Did someone not get the memo.'
Another wrote: 'Needs a LOT more RED !!! - Change it quickly PLEASE!!!'
One member agreed: 'Oh dear! Stella, Stella - did you not think of asking ANYONE on a UK street if they thought it was reasonable for you to take the red off our Union Jack?'
Volleyball players Shauna Mullen and Zara Dampney model the two-piece, which has a Union flag emblazoned on the back
The small Union flag logos are few and far between, upsetting some sporting fans who are calling for more red
Other sporting fans were also left confused by the giant X across the waist of the uniform designed for the men's athletic team.
Many compared it to the logo used by the ITV reality TV show the X Factor.
One Facebook user wrote: 'Are X-Factor a sponsor?'
Another agreed: 'Very disappointed that they have excluded any definitive imagery of the GB flag/colors, also that the design on the front has definitely been stolen from the X-factor.'
(L-R) 400m runner Christine Ohuruogu, paralympic cyclist Jody Cundy, paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, BMX cyclist Shanaze Reade, triple jumper Phillips Idowu, heptathlete Jessica Ennis, gymnast Louis Smith, paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock and modern pentathlete Heather Fell
Athletics: Jessica, left, and Phillips Idowu model the uniform, featuring a giant X on the front, prompting sporting fans to compare it to the reality show The X Factor's logo
Designer Stella said she took inspiration from British flag - but 'modernised' it.
McCartney said: 'The first place to start on a project like this is to look at the Union flag.
'For me it’s one of the most beautiful flags in the world and it was important for me to stay true to that iconic design but also to modernise it and present it in a contemporary way.
'Ultimately, we wanted the athletes to feel like a team and be proud with the identity we created.'
Tennis: Andy Murray was one of the models chosen to unveil the range that features very little red
Cycling: Chris Hoy and Lizzie Armitstead model the kit comprised of cycling shorts and a zip-up top
Basketball player Drew Sullivan, left, and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell unveil their uniforms
ANATOMY OF A FLAG
In 1603, James VI of Scotland inherited the English and Irish thrones, thereby uniting the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland.
In 1606, a new flag to represent this regal union was specified in a royal decree, according to which the flag of England and Scotland would be joined together, forming the flag of Great Britain and first union flag.
The current and second Union Flag dates from 1801 with the Act of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The new design added a red saltire, the 'cross of Saint Patrick', for Ireland.
The three component crosses that make up the Union Flag are:
- The red St. George's Cross, which represents England
- The white diagonal St. Andrew's Cross, representing Scotland
- The red diagonal St. Patrick's Cross, representing Ireland
Athletics gold Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu paraded in their new outfits at the launch - with the Games now just four months away.
The kit for up to 500 Olympic and 350 Paralympic athletes was unveiled in a five-minute showcase at the Tower of London.
The sportswear has been over two years in the making and combines the best in performance technologies and stand-out British style, according to Adidas who brought McCartney on board as creative director.
The flag is broken down and appears in different ways on the kit.
Up to 175,000 items of clothing will be supplied to British athletes competing in 26 Olympic and 20 Paralympic sports at London 2012.
Idowu said: 'All eyes will be watching London 2012 so every little detail matters.
'I love what Stella has done with the design.
'Looking good is psychologically important but my sprint suit is also technically advanced, so not only do I look good but I also have confidence in the technology in the kit.'
The unveiling comes after Mayor of London Boris Johnson 'apologised' for the bright pink and purple uniforms the Olympic volunteers will be wearing at the event.
They consist of a polo shirt with matching fleece, anorak and rucksack as well as a straw trilby with a pink ribbon.
Greeting some of the 8,000 'London Ambassadors', who will guide tourists around the capital, he said: 'What do you think of the uniform?
'It's quite striking, isn't it? I hope you don't feel too ridiculous.
'We need to overcome our natural British reserve and be a little bit more like the Australians!'
Also unveiled last week was the design for the Olympic information kiosks – also in shocking pink - which will be stationed at 43 locations in the city.
The Olympic volunteers' uniform - a loose tracksuit top and pink poloshirt - were not well received
VIDEO: Watch the Stella McCartney official Olympics kit launch catwalk show
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