After all the outrage regarding Team USA wearing uniforms made in China for the opening ceremony, Pennsylvanians can take some pride in knowing that at least one group of athletes is sporting the "Made in the U.S.A" label in London. Reading-based GK Elite Sportswear made the leotards for U.S. Gymnastics Team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
And for sports fans of all ages, the State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced an exhibit of Team USA gymnastics leotards. The Pennsylvania-made Olympic apparel will be on display in the museum's ground floor lobby through Sunday, Sept. 9, which coincides with Harrisburg's Gallery Walk event.
Members of the Team USA's Women's Gymnastics squad posed in GK Elite's Olympic outfits for the cover of the 2012 Olympic Games preview issue of Sports Illustrated. The red-sequined leotard featured on the cover is included in the museum's display.
As the official museum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State Museum collects, preserves and interprets objects associated with Pennsylvania's industrial heritage. All aspects of the Olympic apparel, from product development to manufacturing and down to the smallest of embellishments, take place at GK Elite's 30-year-old headquarters in Berks County.
The specialty sportswear company has been manufacturing gymnastic apparel for the U.S. Gymnastics Team since its debut at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. GK Elite also furnishes gymnastics outfits for Olympic teams from other countries. For the London 2012 Olympics, GK Elite Sportswear will also be outfitting competitors from Great Britain, Australia, Netherlands, France, Greece, Israel, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens. For more information about the museum or the exhibit, please click HERE.
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South Central Headlines Examiner
National Women’s Issues Examiner
National Sports World Examiner
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