Olympic kit row threatens grand parade

Published on Wednesday 13 October 2004 01:11

GREAT Britain’s Olympic parade on Monday could be marred by a kit row after Team GB officials admitted they are at odds with Nike, which wants sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis to wear its tracksuit, writes Jo Atkinson.

The Great Britain tracksuits worn at the Games in Athens are sponsored by adidas and British Olympic Association spokesman Philip Pope said they had received reassurances from agents representing Kelly Holmes and Darren Campbell - both sponsored by Reebok - that they will be in the official gear during the celebrations in central London next week.

However, Nike has pointed out athletes are no longer obliged to wear the official uniform and wants Lewis-Francis to wear Nike during the parade. Pope said: "The only kit available to the squad is the tracksuits worn on the podiums. It would be wrong of us to appear in different kits. It is a common-sense decision and adidas have not been involved at all. We just want to present a unified team approach."