USA Gymnastics' Paris Olympics Uniforms Are Turning Heads

The 2024 Olympics are almost upon us, and the USA Gymnastics team is already creating buzz. Four-time gold medalist Simone Biles is set to compete on the women's team with Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Hezley Rivera, and Jordan Chiles, while Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson round out the elite team as alternates. And while we can't wait to watch their dextrous moves on the beams and floor mat, all eyes will be on their blinged-out uniforms, which debuted on the "TODAY" show on July 10 ahead of the July 26 Olympics kickoff in Paris, France. The video saw the gymnastics team unboxing their gear, which consisted of a block of blue stars across one side of the chest and arm and a red-striped pattern along the bodice. However, the stars of the 'fit, made by GK Elite, were the dazzling Swarovski crystals scattered throughout. This is only one design, though, as the team has seven other options, each covered in bling that amounts to over 47,000 crystals between all eight uniforms.

The brand's design director, Jeanne Diaz, knew how much interest the sparkly 'fits would generate. "The more crystals, the more impact, the more the leotards are talked about," she told The New York Times, with GK Elite executive Matt Cowan adding, "Everybody looks to Team U.S.A. and says, 'I want to look like that — I want to sparkle like that.'" He's not wrong, as the day after the leotards were revealed, some Today show members got their own versions of the official Team USA uniforms.

There's nothing quite like a first glimpse of Team USA Gymnastic's leotards that makes us excited to watch them at work on our screens — or in Paris, if you're lucky. After seeing the athletes unveil theirs, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb naturally wanted one for themselves, and while they didn't get exact replicas, the ones they received put them in high spirits.

Guthrie and Kotb aren't the only ones who cartwheels over GK Elite's creations, either. "Stars, stripes, crystals and pearls all gleaming in red, white and blue! Nothing says Team USA quite like it! This is what dreams are made of!" former Olympian and sports commentator Kathy Johnson Clarke shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. Meanwhile, one fan tweeted, "These Leos are SO MUCH prettier than the ones they wore at trials!" Another wrote, "That one that first came out of the box needs to be the team finals... screams Magnificent 7." Now that the leotards have been revealed to the public, gymnasticcore is sure to be one of the next biggest trends, but if you choose to DIY your own version of the team's uniforms, be prepared to put in a lot of work, especially if you add crystal nails as extra bling-y accessories

With the mind-boggling amount of Swarovski crystals used on these uniforms, it's clear that the official leotards of the USA Gymnastics team weren't easy to make, but you'll be surprised to find out just how much preparation goes into the design. As reported by The Washington Post, it takes two years for the leotards to get made, from conception to production. Jeanne Diaz began the process in 2022 by creating mood boards of designs and patterns that struck her fancy. The following year, the designers rendered sketches, narrowing them down to 15 for the gymnastics team's approval. After the samples were made, they were tested by an actual gymnast for honest feedback. Finally, the eight favorites were chosen by Team USA Gymnastics' decision-makers, and it's safe to say they were all winners.

It's not just the pretty designs that make these leotards special. GK Elite has been the gymnastics team's go-to manufacturer since 2000, with Jeanne Diaz telling Vogue, "We've really come to know exactly what the athletes like. She added, "First and foremost, it is a performance garment; We have to think about their comfort and movement. It moves with the body so that their mind isn't on what they're wearing." Ultimately, the Summer Olympics are coming up soon, and we can't wait to see Simone Biles, who looks like a goddess whether makeup-free or in full glam, and her team dazzle as they turn and twist in their crystalized 'fits.

Now that you've seen the team's leotards, it's time to brush up on whether athletes are allowed to rock manicures at the Olympics.