Published:
Polo Ralph Lauren Signs Deal to Become Exclusive Parade Outfitter of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams
NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The United States
Olympic Committee and Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) announced today an
agreement designating Polo Ralph Lauren as an Official Outfitter of the 2008
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Under this agreement, Polo Ralph Lauren has
designed the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits for
the U.S. Teams, in addition to an assortment of village wear pieces to be
provided to the U.S. Teams.
The Official Opening Ceremony Parade Outfits will not be unveiled to the
public until the Opening Ceremony on August 8, 2008 -- when they will be
viewed in front of a global audience. Worldwide viewership of theBeijing
Games could exceed four billion, which would be the largest audience ever to
view the Olympic Games.
Recalling the history of the Olympic Games and in keeping with the honor
and tradition associated with this historic event, Polo Ralph Lauren will
bring an elegant and contemporary style to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic
Teams. The Opening Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect the heritage and
sensibility of the 1920s and 1930s with a tailored and modern silhouette. The
Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect a sportier aesthetic.
"We are both thrilled and honored to join with the U.S. Olympic Committee
and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams to contribute to the most esteemed
sporting event in history. As our athletes take to this world stage they are
representing the best of America and we are proud to be a part of that," said
David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate
Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren.
"As we discussed ideas about who could best outfit our athletes in a
manner representative of the Olympic Movement and what it stands for today, we
believe Ralph Lauren is uniquely suited to deliver an outstanding product,"
said U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Operating Officer Norman Bellingham. "Polo
Ralph Lauren is a quintessential American brand that represents a timeless and
classic look which we believe our athletes will be excited to wear."
Apparel from the entire Polo Ralph Lauren U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team
Parade Outfit collection will be available for purchase inthe United States -
- with the official men's Parade Outfit tie in numbered, limited editions --
as well as a collection, comprised of the designs represented in the athlete
village wear pieces, inspired by and celebrating the U.S. Olympic and
Paralympic Teams. All products will be available for sale in June in Polo
Ralph Lauren retail stores, select department stores, and RalphLauren.com,
with select items available on the U.S. Olympic Committee website
(www.usolympicteam.com).
TheBeijing 2008 Olympic Games will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to
August 24, 2008, with an estimated three million domestic and overseas
visitors traveling toBeijing for the Games and an estimated four billion
viewers watching 24-hour, worldwide-televised coverage. For more information
on the Games, please log on to http://www.usoc.org/ www.usolympicteam.com.
ABOUT POLO RALPH LAUREN
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design,
marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories:
apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 40 years, Polo's
reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an
expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's
brand names, which include "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Ralph Lauren Purple
Label", "Ralph Lauren Collection", "Black Label", "Blue Label", "Lauren by
Ralph Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co.", "RRL", "RLX", "Rugby", "Ralph Lauren
Childrenswear", "American Living", "Chaps", and "Club Monaco" among others,
constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer
brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com .
ABOUT THE U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the
International Olympic Committee as the sole entity inthe United States whose
mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the
U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American
Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the
USOC is the moving force for support of sports inthe United States that are
on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American
Games.
Media Contacts:
Polo Ralph Lauren
Ryan Lally
Director of Corporate Communications
212-318-7116
Ryan.Lally@poloralphlauren
U.S. Olympic Committee
Nicole Saunches
Manager, Marketing Communications
719.866.2236
Nicole.Saunches@usoc.org
SOURCE Polo Ralph Lauren
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