Kenya team singlet, photo by Justin Lagat
Kenya team singlet, photo by Justin Lagat
Justin Lagat did this piece on the Kenyan team uniforms and the Kenyan social commentary on it. Something about social media allows people to be ugly, and this seems to be a global phenomenon.
Mixed reactions regarding the Kenyan team’s Tokyo Olympic kits
Yesterday, the 6th of February, the National Olympic Committee on their social media page released some pictures of the kits expected to be won by Kenyan athletes at the Tokyo Olympic Games later this year. The kits are to be officially launched in April, but there is already a lot of negative feedback from some sections of the Kenyan fans.
However, most of the Kenyan runners who are already in the national team to the Olympic Games including some of the defending champions like Conseslus Kipruto and Faith Kipyegon have already given their nod of approval to the designs saying that they are good.
But, to many on social media, it appeared as though the designer had been too busy and did not take their time while designing the kit.
Many could associate the kits with cobwebs and honeycombs. “Are they honey harvesting costumes?” one fan wondered in a FaceBook post.
Some claim that the name “KENYA” ” is hardly visible on the fabric and should be clearly seen and dominant. The other kit (for the previous Olympic editions) doesn’t need to be changed since it has become a well-known global “trademark” and brand that sends fear to rivals.
Some fans praised the 2012 uniform as to have been the best, while some wished the 2016 kits were maintained. “Our kit was just ok. Bring back the black Nike jackets and retain our red jackets too, they were unique. And for the vests, surely just get a plain color with the flag,” another fan lamented.
Some comments were a bit harsh.
“No Kenyan athlete is as ugly as those kits. Are Nike out to demoralize our athletes!! This needs a change don’t even unveil it,” one wrote.
“The most pathetic kit it looks like a goal post net. We have good designers out here just place an advert and you’ll get the best designers samples,” wrote another one.
One fan decided to look it from a different angle and argued that Kenyans need to understand that Nike is sponsoring their athletes to the Olympics and that they have their own designer in Oregon. He added that Kenyans should instead be thankful for what they get.
Amid the negative comments were also some encouraging ones. One fan said that a second look at the creative work put in made him appreciate it, that it shows our Kenyan flag and depth of talent, and that it stands out.
It remains to be seen whether some adjustments will be made to the designs ahead of the Olympic Games beginning in July and ending in August.
