Team GB athletes will wear traditional Union Jack at Olympics following backlash over pink and purple redesign

2 April 2024, 14:22 | Updated: 2 April 2024, 14:23

Team GB faced backlash over the redesign (left) but confirmed the red, white and blue would remain for the Olympics.
Team GB faced backlash over the redesign (left) but confirmed the red, white and blue would remain for the Olympics. Picture: X/Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Team GB athletes will wear the traditional Union Jack at the Olympics this summer, following a backlash over the team's pink and purple redesign.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Designers for Team GB said changes were made to the Union Jack as the colours "synonymous with Great Britain" were "far from unique".

Bath-based design agency Thisaway said they needed to find a way to “refresh” the colour palette ahead of this year's Paris Olympics.

But the move was met with furious backlash after a similar row broke out over England’s new kit for the Euros 2024.

Nike revealed it had altered the cross using purple and blue horizontal stripes in what it called a "playful update" to the shirt.

The Team GB redesign is aimed to appeal to a "new generation of sports fans", designers said.

The colours were also changed on the “Supporters Flags” which are available for £12 on the Team GB shop.

But a spokesperson for Team GB said: "Rest assured the Union flag will feature proudly on the team kit for Paris, as it always does.

"This image doesn’t replace the Union flag, which we will wear with pride later this summer."

They told Mail Sport: "All Team GB athletes will wear the Union Jack as normal in Paris."

Read more: Outrage as Team GB unveils ‘diverse’ Union Jack redesign in pink and purple - weeks after England football shirt row

Read more: ‘It was never our intention to offend’: Nike defends change to St George’s Cross on new England Kit

When the redesign was first unveiled, Team GB faced fierce backlash, including from former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton CBE, who expressed his disappointment.

He told The Sun: “I’m totally against any change to our national flag.

"It feels that nothing is held sacred these days in the UK. Our national flag has been symbolic for many years and should never be changed.”

Fans have criticised the 'redesign'.
Fans have criticised the 'redesign'. Picture: X

The full statement on the Thisaway website reads: “As with many sport brands, colour was a point of contention. Obviously red, white and blue is synonymous with Great Britain, but it's far from unique, with other competing nations such as France and USA also sporting the same colours.

“We needed to find a way of refreshing Team GB's colour palette in a way that is both flexible and ownable.

“Rather than trying to look beyond the traditional colours, we decided to embrace them and push the iconic red white and blue as far as we could.

“The result is a vibrant and varied colour palette that has the versatility to be restrained and traditional in one breath, and bold and contemporary in the next.

“The core palette is also complimented by the three other colours that go hand-in-hand with the Olympic Games; gold silver and bronze.”

Malcolm Farrow, president of the Flag Institute said the redesign had ‘defaced’ the emblem.

He said: “I don’t approve of our national symbol of unity being defaced.

“People have every right to be upset with Team GB. They need to remember brave men fought for this flag and died while protecting it. Changing it is bordering on an insult to them.

“To do something like this in places like India, Greece or Turkey would have serious consequences.

“Designs to commemorate special events like previous Olympics have put an approved badge in the centre and kept the flag the same. This is just a marketing gimmick.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Hundreds gathered in Dublin for a fake Halloween parade

Halloween chaos as hundreds flock to Dublin city centre for fake parade advertised online

Exclusive
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street.

As the dust settles on Rachel Reeves’ first Budget – all eyes are on farms and markets

Donald Trump is suing CBS

Donald Trump sues CBS for $10 billion

Around 8,000 North Korean soldiers have massed on Ukraine's border

Thousands of North Korean troops mass at Ukrainian border and will enter battle 'within days', US warns

Whigfield

Saturday Night singer Whigfield shares shock breast cancer treatment picture as she urges people to get checked

Wrexham, UK. 10th April 2023. Wrexham, UK. 10th Apr, 2023. Wrexham owners, Ryan Reynolds (L) and Rob McElhenney (R) during the Vanarama National League match between Wrexham and Notts County

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy Wrexham brewery dubbed 'oldest' in UK

Sara Sharif suffered more than 70 injuries before her death.

Sara Sharif was punished because she had a ‘jinn in her’, stepmother claimed

Peter Lynch was jailed for two years.

Grandad, 61, jailed over far-right summer riots died from 'hanging' in prison cell, inquest hears

Desperate hunt for survivors as Spanish death toll passes 158 with mobs and looters striking shops across Valencia

Desperate hunt for survivors as Spanish death toll passes 150 with mobs and looters striking shops across Valencia

Private schools have slammed Labour's tax hike.

Independent schools vote to sue over Labour’s VAT hike

Oxford University student nicknamed 'Future Prime Minister' drowned in full gowns during end of exams celebration

Oxford University student nicknamed 'Future Prime Minister' drowned in River Thames during end of exams celebration

Hayley Jones leaving Wimbledon Magistrates' Court in August

Prison worker admits having 'inappropriate relationship' with Zara Aleena's killer

Londoners' ‘lovebombing’ campaign of Angus Steakhouse sees fake 5-star reviews lure tourists away from local hotspots

Londoners' ‘lovebombing’ campaign of Angus Steakhouse sees fake 5-star reviews lure tourists away from local hotspots

Harry Judd's son was rushed to hospital.

McFly star Harry Judd's son rushed to hospital after 'traumatic' washing pod accident

The suspect is escorted by police officers to a park for video reconstruction of a crime scene

British businessman charged with murder in Hong Kong after housekeeper found drowned under waterfall

Met arrest 63-year-old man after thief swindled London cheesemaker Neal's Yard out of 22 tonnes of top-quality cheddar

Man arrested after London cheesemaker Neal's Yard swindled out of 22 tonnes of top-quality cheddar