Simone Biles' leotard: 5 things you didn't know about Team USA gymnasts' sparkly costumes
Sparkling with thousands of tiny crystals, each gymnast has 20 leotards to use throughout the Olympic Games...
Laurie Hernandez adds her characteristic flourish to a floor routine (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The USA leapt and spun to Olympic gold in one of the most dominant performances ever seen in women's team gymnastics.
Unmissable in patriotic colours glittering with thousands of light-catching crystals, the Team USA leotards took years to select and prepare.
The prep
Designed two years in advance, the uniforms must fit the gymnasts' bodies perfectly to be competition-ready. Athletes are each fitted on three separate occasions.
Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian (Photos: Getty Images)
The technology
GK Elite, the team's outfitter, reported that new technology — in bejewelling, no less — significantly cut down production time and costs. In previous years, crystals had to be hand-placed before GK made use of improved equipment.
The cost
The leotards worn by the athletes in the qualifying round cost roughly $1,200 each. They were decorated with nearly 5,000 Swarovski crystals, which contributed to the hefty price tag.
Simone Biles, in the stars and stripes (Photo: Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths)
The choice
While it's the gymnasts who wear them, it's team co-ordinator Martha Karolyi who selects the final leotards. In the end, each member of the team receives 20 leotards each for competition and practice.
The tribute
The most patriotic leotards were chosen as a tribute to Karolyi, who retire following Rio 2016 after 16 years at the helm of Team USA.
Simone Biles and Aly Raisman compete in the women's individual all-round event at 4pm today (11 August) at the Rio Olympic Arena.
