Made in China tag hurts US sentiments

The US uniforms for the Olympics are made in China, causing members of Congress to fume.

Congress railed on Thursday about the US Olympic Committee’s decision to dress its team in Chinese-manufactured berets, blazers and pants while the American textile industry struggles economically with many US workers desperate for jobs.

“I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again,” Senator Harry Reid said.

Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly news conference that she’s proud of the nation’s Olympic athletes, but “they should be wearing uniforms that are made in America.”

House Speaker John Boehner said simply of the USOC, “You’d think they’d know better.”
In a statement, the USOC defended the choice of American designer Ralph Lauren for the clothing. “Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the US Olympic team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors,” USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement. “We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company.”

Ralph Lauren also is dressing the Olympic and Paralympic teams for the closing ceremony and providing casual clothes to be worn around the Olympic Village.