Associated Press
We've all been beaten over the head that the Beijing Olympics are 15 hours ahead of what's going down in Sacramento.
That said, the Opening Ceremony is already over, and athletes are probably snoozing, ready for the competitions to really get fired up on Saturday.
Anyway, I'm not really spoiling anything about what Team USA wears when they walk into the stadium. Matt Lauer of the "Today Show" unveiled the men's and women's outfits on TV this morning. (See basketball player Kobe Bryant, above, looking dapper.)
As I posted the other day, American designer Ralph Lauren - and his team - created the apparel in about three months. And I love it! Very classy - very reminiscent of Olympic wear from decades ago.
Matt put it this way: "They aren't wearing sweatpants!"
Senior vice president David Lauren (Ralph's son) showed off the men's and women's outfits, which are pretty much identical except the guys wear ties, the gals ascots (striped scarves).
There are eight pieces to each outfit and, when asked if the athletes would be toasty in the 80-degree-plus temps, David said they were constructed of lightweight, tropical wool. What did it remind me of? Think the U.S. team in the Olympic movie "Chariots of Fire."
Of course, there's always got to be a chapeau. For these Games, it's a white newsboy cap with a snap. Personally, I don't think it will come even close to the Salt Lake City beret in 2002, which was created by Roots - a Canadian company no less.
The rest of the outfit includes a navy blazer with crests and white trousers.
The Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony outfits are both Polo creations. We can't get those because they're just for the athletes, but if you click here you can snap up other really patriotic (and fashionable) Ralph Lauren Olympic-style clothing.
I particularly like the dog sweater.
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