The look of the Canadian team kit for Paris was a big hit with boccia athlete Alison Levine. The functionality of the outfits was what really blew her away.
Lululemon showed off its collection for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday at the Liberty Grand entertainment complex. Athletes sported a variety of selections during a fashion show that featured garments to be worn on the podium, during opening and closing ceremonies, media interviews and daily life on the ground in France.
“I’d say classy but iconic Canadian with just that touch of elegance and beauty,” Levine said of the collection.
It’s the first Summer Games for the Vancouver-based Lululemon since becoming outfitter for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
Unlike some of the more outlandish kits over the years, there were no cowboy hats, berets or Canadian tuxedo looks on display.
Simple and sporty was the focus with some colourful designs providing a more playful edge. Red and white provided the base but some different colours were worked in using what Lululemon called modern silhouettes and Canadian-inspired prints.
“It’s very Canada, I think they nailed it,” said diver Nathan Zsombor-Murray. “They got all the right colours: red, white, a hint of black and a little bit of purple. I think they did a really good job with the design.”
The kit also included features like magnetic-close zippers, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides to support a diverse range of body types and abilities.
Levine, who’s preparing for her third Paralympics, said she first participated in focus group discussions on the kit over two years ago.
“I’m literally wearing pants with features that I told Lululemon is important to wheelchair users and here I am (a few) months later actually wearing them,” she said. “I feel heard, I feel understood and most importantly, I feel comfortable.”
Athlete Danielle Ellis wears the kit for media appearances during the unveiling of the Team Canada Lululemon Athlete Kit for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Toronto on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
About 200 people took in the proceedings, which kicked off with a flashy presentation complete with multiscreen videoboards. Canadian swimmer Benoit Huot – winner of 20 Paralympic medals – and retired women’s soccer goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé served as co-hosts.
Lululemon’s deal lasts through the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Hudson’s Bay Company’s 16-year run as Canadian outfitter ended after the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021.
Some pieces from the new collection were available for purchase on the Lululemon website on Tuesday, one day ahead of in-store releases. The showcase vented bomber jacket was priced at $398, a convertible jacket was $248 and convertible pants were $198.
Among some of the other items: a translucent hooded jacket was $188, a button-down shirt was $98 and high-rise shorts were $68.
“What stands out is just how much attention to detail Lululemon has put into it,” said COC chief executive officer David Shoemaker. “It’s not just the fit, it’s not just the function, it’s the fabrics and it’s the tapestries.
“That all comes together in a marvellous way.”
Lululemon said it conducted product testing and feedback sessions with 19 Canadian athletes across 14 different sports while designing the kit.
“What I’m most proud of is not just that it’s a beautiful collection, but more importantly it’s the innovation and the authenticity of working with them through the relationships and creating innovative solutions with their input,” said Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald.
The Olympics are set for July 26-Aug 11. The Paralympics will be held from Aug. 28-Sept. 8.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
