What happens to sports kit that never gets worn?
Summary
Many sports teams, including Team GB, have large amounts of unused sports clothing made for events like the Olympics. These clothes are often brand new but are not worn due to contract rules, changing athletes, or the need for the latest performance gear. Efforts are now being made to resell surplus items, with proceeds supporting charity.Key Facts
- Team GB has boxes of new, unused sports clothing from Paris 2024 and Milan Cortina 2026 events.
- A lot of sports kit is ordered before knowing which athletes will compete, causing extra stock.
- Sports contracts sometimes include "value in kind," which means teams get free kit, encouraging more orders.
- Up to 100,000 sports clothing items are estimated to go to landfill in the UK each year.
- Football’s main European body, UEFA, says about 60% of professional team apparel might be thrown away after each season.
- Some contracts prevent clothes from being reused or resold to protect sponsorship deals or new designs.
- A new resale platform is helping sell extra Team GB kit, with money going to the British Olympic Association’s charity.
- Athletes often have nearly new kit that is not used because it may not give the smallest competitive advantage needed.
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