Chinese sportswear company 361° will provide more than 106,500 uniforms for technical staff and volunteers at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company, which was announced as an official supporter of Rio 2016 Games on Wednesday (October 22), will also produce uniforms for the test events and torch relay.

“With the responsibility of supplying uniforms to the volunteers and staff, which are extremely important groups for us and for the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are confident that 361° will do a great job in our challenge of delivering excellent and memorable games,” said Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman.

Before signing the agreement, Rio 2016 spent a year evaluating the production and sustainability standards of the company. Production of the Rio 2016 uniforms will commence in 2015 with the launch coming in the year of the Games.

“Our group has long been seeking a partnership and there couldn’t be a better time to achieve this goal,” said 361° CEO Wuhao Ding. “This is a milestone in our history and we are very happy that everyone will have the opportunity to get to know our brand and products in the country.” 

Brazilian volleyball star Giba took part in the announcement event at the Rio 2016 HQ  (Photo: Rio2016/Alexandre Loureiro)

Founded 2003, 361° has already sponsored various competitions in Asia, including the Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014 Asian Games, and Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.