Dressing up at the Olympics may not earn you any official points, but luckily for us as spectators, it doesn’t prevent the athletes from competing for an imaginary best dressed medal. Of course, nothing speaks louder than an athlete’s performance, but Olympic fashion choices have their own value too: they help set teams apart, express the personalities and cultures of the athletes, and make the overall show that much more enjoyable and exciting.
With the Paris 2024 Games just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the coolest retro Olympic uniforms. From opening ceremony styles and noteworthy team uniforms to iconic solo looks, we wouldn’t mind seeing any of these throwback uniforms on the podium this year. These 31 photos show dramatic trends changing, but each one captures the exhilarating spirit of the Olympics that never goes out of style.
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1960American sprinter Wilma Rudolph during the final stages of a race at the Rome Summer Olympics. Rudolph, who was unable to walk without a brace until age 9, won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and was the anchor of the winning 400-meter relay team.
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