Last Updated: 2020.07.22
UNIQLO Creates UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN with Swedish Athletes - Initiative aims to deepen partnership with Swedish Olympic and Paralympic Committees and inspire children to find new sport in lead up to Tokyo Games
UNIQLO CO., LTD.
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Global apparel retailer UNIQLO has formed UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN as its first team brand ambassador with 13 Swedish athletes. The aim of this new initiative is for UNIQLO to strengthen its partnership with the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic Committees by collaborating in a range of projects that underscore their shared dedication to innovation, high quality, and sustainability, while pursuing athletic perfection internationally. An initial step in this direction is the launch of a new program, called 'DREAM PROJECT by UNIQLO,' whereby Olympic and Paralympic events will be held throughout the year in Sweden to inspire children and youths to find their own sport and conduct active and healthy lifestyles.
UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN comprises 11 top Swedish athletes slated to represent their nation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, expected to be held in 2021, as well as two Olympic legends. (Names and profiles of athletes shown on subsequent pages.)
Commenting on today's announcement, Koji Yanai, Fast Retailing Group Senior Executive Officer in charge of UNIQLO 2020/2022 Olympic/Paralympic Project, said, "Since our partnership announcement in January last year, we have been providing apparel to Swedish athletic teams and tournament officials during games and competitions. For Tokyo 2020 we will design a unique LifeWear collection crafted for the Olympic and Paralympic teams through the lens of sustainability, collaborating closely with the athletes. The newly formed UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN will give us extra insight in how to offer them the best possible LifeWear, while demonstrating the value of working together for a brighter future."
While preparing for the Tokyo Games, UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN will also play an active role in the DREAM PROJECT by UNIQLO to guide Swedish youth to a more healthy and active lifestyle.
"Our goal is to help at least 20,210 children find a new sport in the next year and to win medals in Tokyo," said Peter Reinebo, Chief Executive Officer of the Swedish Olympic Committee. "With one year to the Games, the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic Committees are strengthening our partnership with UNIQLO and establishing new synergies together for the future. Through DREAM PROJECT by UNIQLO, we will be able to hold Olympic and Paralympic related events to help encourage children and youths throughout Sweden to find a sport they can integrate easily into their daily lives. The activities will be conducted together in friendship, respect and with strive for excellence."
Åsa Llinares Norlin, President of the Swedish Paralympic Committee, declared, "We are so happy to have a joint adventure with UNIQLO, so we can build sustainability and strength toward sports not only for our Paralympians, but also for our parasport athletes in Sweden. We are very pleased that UNIQLO provides both the power and the tools to achieve our ambition of bringing more people into sports. This is key for a healthy lifestyle, and it is the foundation for building better and stronger teams for future games."
As part of the preparation for the Games, UNIQLO and Sweden's Olympic and Paralympic Committees have issued the appended joint statement titled, 'Together for the Future.' The statement will guide collaboration beyond an Official Clothing Partner framework to build better tomorrows through sporting and apparel excellence.
Another fruit of the partnership with the Swedish team is the SWE Graphic T-Shirt. This official teamwear will go on sale in Sweden on Thursday, July 23.
■ Comments from Key Members of UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN
Sofia Mattsson (Wrestling)
With the postponement of the Olympics, I am happy with the extension of our partnership with UNIQLO. COVID-19 may be one of the greatest challenges of next year's Games. We will find it even more rewarding to do our best to compete for medals in our chosen sports.
Lina Watz (Swimming)
We face numerous challenges this year owing to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, making it a particular joy to be a member of UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN. Our partnership with UNIQLO will empower us to stay focused on the Paralympics. I will remain active, strong and positive.
Anna-Carin Ahlquist (Wheelchair Table Tennis)
I am honored to wear UNIQLO at next year's Games. The first Swede to capture a World Table Tennis Championship title was Stelian Bengtsson in 1971 in Nagoya. People in Swedish table tennis circles thus have a special attachment to Japan. It will be my generation's turn in 2021, 50 years since that pioneering victory, to bring more glory to the nation in Tokyo.
Jörgen Persson (Table Tennis legend and Coach of the Swedish National Team*)
Despite the postponement of the Games, Sweden's table tennis players will do their best to bring medals home. I look for 2021 to be a wonderful Olympic year.
*planned for October 2020
■ Profiles of UNIQLO TEAM SWEDEN
| Olympians | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agnes Alexiusson | Boxing 60 Kilo Class | Bronze Medal, European Championship 2019 |
| 2 | Alex Kessidis | Wrestling 77 Kilo Class | Silver Medal, World Championship 2019 |
| 3 | Anton Dahlberg | Sailing 470 Class | Gold Medal, European Championship 2018 and 2019 Silver Medal, World Championship 2017 Bronze Medal, World Championship 2019 |
| 4 | Fredrik Bergström | Sailing 470 Class | Gold Medal, European Championship 2018 and 2019 Silver Medal, World Championship 2017 Bronze Medal, World Championship 2019 |
| 5 | Jenny Rissveds | Mountainbike Cross-Country |
Gold Medal, Olympic Games Rio 2016 |
| 6 | Linnea Stensils | Canoe K-1 200 and 1000 meters | Bronze Medal, World Championship 2018 |
| 7 | Mattias Falck | Table Tennis | Bronze Medal, Men's Team, World Championship 2018 Silver Medal, Men's Singles, World Championship 2019 |
| 8 | Sofia Mattsson | Wrestling 55 Kilo Class | Bronze Medal, Olympic Games Rio 2016 Gold Medal, World Championship 2009 Gold Medal, European Games 2015 and 2019 Gold Medal, European Championship 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016 |
| Paralympians | |||
| 9 | Anna-Carin Ahlquist | Wheelchair Table Tennis | Bronze Medal, Paralympics Rio 2016 Bronze Medal, World Championship 2018 |
| 10 | Lina Watz | Swimming | 8th in Women's 50-meter freestyle, Paralympics Rio 2016 |
| 11 | Tobias Jonsson | Long Jump | 6th at Paralympics Rio 2016 Bronze Medal, World Championship 2017 |
| Legendary Olympians | |||
| 12 | Jörgen Persson | Table Tennis | Five-time World Champion: Men's Singles 1991 Men's Team 1989, 1991, 1993, and 2000 |
| 13 | Lotta Schlein | Football | All-time Leading Scorer Sweden's National Team, with 88 goals Bronze Medal, World Championship 2011 Silver Medal, Olympic Games Rio 2016 |
■ About the SWE Graphic T-Shirt
Internationally renowned collage artist Kosuke Kawamura created the graphic art on this official men's and women's teamwear. The design combines Sweden's national flag with the "Tillsammans" tagline, meaning "Together!" in English.
The idea is to bring athletes and supporters together during the Games to reach greater heights. The T-shirt incorporates 60% of its fabric from polyester fibers derived from recycled plastic bottles. It feels as refreshing as cotton, employing UNIQLO's sweat-wicking DRY technology to keep wearers comfortable all year round.
The T-shirt will be available exclusively in Sweden, through the UNIQLO Kungsträdgården Store, the Mall of Scandinavia Store (after it opens on August 28), and through the Swedish UNIQLO online store, at:
https://www.uniqlo.com/se/en/content/swedish-olympic-committee.html
Mr. Kawamura (pictured) commented that, "I hope that athletes and Swedish supporters alike can enjoy this T-shirt as comfortable everyday LifeWear and use it as a fun cheerleading item." Mr. Kawamura was born in Hiroshima in 1979. His hugely popular collages are exhibited around the world. He also designs music CD, movie DVD, and book jackets, and collaborates with apparel brands. His Kosuke Kawamura Archives, published earlier this year, highlights his work over the years.
■ UNIQLO support for Sweden's Olympic and Paralympic teams
In January 2019, UNIQLO became the Main Olympic Partner and Official Clothing Partner for the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic teams. For four years, UNIQLO provides the apparel worn by Swedish athletic teams and tournament officials during games and competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, expected to be held in 2021, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(The Joint Statement)
TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE
With one year to go until the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games commence in 2021, UNIQLO and the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic Committees are strengthening their cooperation under the shared vision "Together for the Future". As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the partners are together promoting sustainable, active and healthy lifestyles through the power of sports and clothing.
Since the partnership was first announced in January 2019, UNIQLO and the two Committees have jointly developed official apparel to be worn at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. These uniforms are purpose-designed to ensure Sweden's teams can perform at their best and represent the very latest in UNIQLO LifeWear - a collection that supports athletes 24 hours a day and brings unrivalled comfort to competition, training, and leisure time.
To create the official Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic uniforms, UNIQLO collaborated closely with athletes to design a unique line that is more sustainable, and which also counters Tokyo's summer heat and humidity to keep athletes cool. The collection will deliver outstanding comfort and functionality in simple, stylish designs that embody the LifeWear commitment to making life and society better by pursuing quality, innovation, and sustainability.
THE POWER OF SPORTS FOSTER ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE
Following the postponement of the Games, UNIQLO and the Committees recognized the importance of their joined role in the community. Together, they announce today a new project, based on their shared values, to benefit Sweden's future athletes and to foster more active and healthy lifestyles among young people in Sweden.
As a symbol of their partnership for the future, the three parties will begin to develop and strengthen sports programs for children and youth, under the project title, DREAM PROJECT by UNIQLO. Throughout the project, they will host Olympic and Paralympic related events to inspire children and youth all around Sweden to discover their own sport to enjoy and for an active and healthy life. These activities will be conducted under the partners' shared commitment to friendship, respect and with strive for excellence.
TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE TO MAKE LIFE AND SOCIETY BETTER
