Oly: Ocean flavour to Aussies' uniform for opening ceremony

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2008
Oly: Ocean flavour to Aussies' uniform for opening ceremony

By Valkerie Mangnall

BEIJING, Aug 8 AAP - Our land is "girt by sea" and there was a distinct ocean feel
to the Australian athletes' uniform as they marched in the opening ceremony for the Beijing
Olympic Games tonight.

Outback ochre has featured before, as has the traditional green and gold of the wattle
tree, but not tonight.

Navy blue on the bottom and gradually fading through lighter hues to peak in a silvery
white cap, the 230 competitors - about 70 per cent of the Australian team members in Beijing
- resembled waves bobbing as they strode proudly into the National Stadium, known affectionately
as the Bird's Nest.

The Australian athletes beamed and waved as they entered the arena third-to-last of
the 205 nations in keeping with the position of Australia according to the Chinese alphabet.

They were led by six-time Olympic rower James Tomkins, a popular choice as flag bearer.

Comparing his experience leading the Australians into the arena to winning three Olympic
gold medals, Tomkins said: "It's quite different, but I'm just as proud carrying the flag.

It's a huge part of the whole Olympic experience."

Speaking before he entered the stadium, he said: "I'll be pretty pumped and just over the moon."

Designed by Australian fashion label Sportscraft, the outfit had been kept tightly under wraps.

It featured dark, three-quarter length cargo shorts for the women with tie-up detail
at the cuffs, and dark trousers for the men, with both wearing stylish belts.

The team's polo shirts went from royal blue at the waist to light blue, ending in silver
collars and were topped by lightweight sports jackets in the same pattern.

Many of the women wore silver ballet pumps.

With the soundtrack played in the stadium on a constant loop of world music, Australia
ended up entering the arena to the sound of bagpipes.

They received a loud ovation from the crowd and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd waved from the stands.

The sky had been extremely hazy all evening and the air motionless, creating a steamy
atmosphere inside the open-air venue.

Many Australian athletes opted not to march in the conditions, particularly those with
events starting tomorrow, including the swimmers and road cyclists.

Four billion people were expected to watch the opening ceremony on television worldwide.

AAP vm

KEYWORD: OLY08 CEREMONY AUST LEAD

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