On Thursday, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team showed off their Olympic competition tights as they prepared for the competition on training mats.
On Tuesday, five members of the official team and an alternate appeared at the Ariake Gymnastics Center in Tokyo for the first training.
Kara Eaker was unable to attend due to a positive COVID-19 test and is currently in isolation.
The tights are hand-made by a team of 75 people and made by GK Elite. GK Elite has been the official apparel sponsor of the United States Gymnastics Team since 2000.
The theme of the design is to symbolize “fearlessness, dynasty and patriotism”.
The team members wore two different types of tights. One was worn by Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum. The black and rose gold tights were decorated with 3,515 hand-encrusted Brilliance and Blush Swarovski crystals.
GK Elite stated that the black design is a “dynasty” theme inspired by the Tokyo 2020 Torch, with flames on the front.
Inspired by the iconic torch, our Brilliantly Bold competition tights have 3,515 brilliance and blush @Swarovski Crystal and black and rose gold fabrics are designed to shine. The copy version is now available: https://t.co/IqxNF0Cch4 #Crete #youaregk #AsSeenInTokyo pic.twitter.com/sjWV5QEwlD
— GK Elite Sportswear (@gkelite) July 22, 2021
MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey wore another style. This is a light purple bodysuit, also using 3,468 Brilliance and Blush Swarovski crystals.
The purple tights referred to by GK are the subject of “fearlessness”.
Our Lavender Ice competition tights feature mesh cutouts, faux shoulder straps and low collar designs, and 3,468 @Swarovski The crystal stands out, shines, shines! The copy version is now available: https://t.co/9ZIL2jXb6P #Crete #youaregk #AsSeenInTokyo pic.twitter.com/3dOplW1bIo
— GK Elite Sportswear (@gkelite) July 22, 2021
Both tights have the outline of the Swarovski crystal “USA” on the hip area and the American flag on the wrist.
As part of the entire Olympic wardrobe, the price of the Olympic tights is 700-1,200 US dollars, which also includes 12 practice tights for each gymnast. The estimated price is about 12,000 US dollars.
GK Elite has not announced the actual total number and keeps it confidential.
Each tights is customized to fit every gymnast’s body perfectly. The girls will also test their uniforms to ensure that they will not encounter any trouble on the playing field.
GK Elite has a $50,000 machine that can apply each Swarovski crystal to the fabric in a complex design, shining light in different ways to make it shine for athletes.
The gymnast will enter the competition venue at 9pm Eastern Time on Saturday.
2x Olympians
4 times Olympic gold medalist
1x Olympic bronze medalist
25 times world medal winnerNow, the most beautifully decorated gymnast in the history of the sport has his own Twitter hashtag emoji! #Simone
Can’t wait to cheer for GOAT @USA Team The next day! pic.twitter.com/u5qxcchn09
— American Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 22, 2021
