OCM unveils new ‘fiercer’ design for Olympics attire

The new design for the national contingent’s official attire at the Paris Olympics features a black background with prominent yellow stripes on the front and back of the jackets. (MOM pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has unveiled a “fiercer striped pattern” for the national contingent’s official attire at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In a statement, OCM president Norza Zakaria said this followed mixed feedback about the previous design, which was criticised as “not distinctive enough”.

Norza said the new design features a black background with bold, prominent yellow stripes on the front and back of the jackets.

And while OCM has retained the same design and motif for the gold-collared T-shirts, they now feature the OCM logo in the colours of the Malaysian flag as a mark of respect for the Jalur Gemilang.

The previous kit sported a gold version of the Jalur Gemilang, which the design team thought would best symbolise the contingent’s aspirations to bring home Malaysia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.

“OCM believes that this new pattern symbolises the spirit of the tiger, which has been the Malaysian contingent’s identity since it was first introduced at the 2005 SEA Games in Manila,” said Norza.

“… OCM hopes this brighter pattern and motif not only emphasises the identity and uniformity of the contingent, but more importantly, symbolises their strength and courage to compete on behalf of the nation.

“With this decision, OCM hopes for unwavering support from all Malaysians for all members of the Malaysian contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

Norza added that due to time constraints, sponsor Yonex Sunrise Malaysia had granted OCM special permission for the Yonex logo not to be displayed on the jackets and T-shirts, and for the uniform to be made with a different fabric.

He said this was because Yonex Sunrise Malaysia would require additional time to produce the attire, and its approval alongside that of the manufacturer as per their standard operating procedure.

OCM also thanked Yonex Sunrise Malaysia, which has been the Malaysian contingent’s official attire sponsor for 10 years, for allowing it to produce the attire with a different fabric and design.

Sports fans and netizens had expressed disappointment and ridiculed the design of the previous outfit, following which Norza instructed OCM to work with Yonex on improvements based on feedback received from stakeholders and the public.

As of yesterday, the Malaysian contingent comprised 25 athletes from various sports including archery, badminton, diving, road cycling, track cycling, golf, sailing, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug 11, with national diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises and sailor Nur Shazrin Latif chosen as Malaysia’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony.