A closer look at Simone Biles and Team USA’s leotard for the women’s team final

Simone Biles and her teammates are ready to dazzle, literally.

As the U.S. team stepped out to compete in Tuesday’s (27 July) women’s team final they did so wearing a simple red, white and blue leotard.

The leotard, weighing 9.7 oz, features 7,600 Swarovski crystals – a nod to American independence in 1776 – and a simple tri-colour design from top to bottom.

The process of creating the looks for Team USA is a two-year ordeal, according to Girisha Chandraraj, CEO of manufacturer Elite Sportswear.

“Our design team draws inspiration from modern trends in fashion and sport, along with utilizing the most beautiful fabrics and embellishments to create around 40 initial leotard designs,” said Chandraraj. “Through rounds of review and refinement with USA Gymnastics, the final garments are selected.”

All of Team USA’s leotards in Tokyo are based off three themes: patriotism, dynasty and fearless. Tuesday’s leotard includes elements from the patriotism and fear lines, designed to both celebrate “the hard work, determination and true fearlessness that Team USA’s top athletes exude” and include “iconic red, white, and blue designs that draw from symbols of strength and greatness with use of stars, stripes, bald eagles and more,” according to a release from the manufacturer.

“Our team draws on inspiration from just about anywhere when designing leotards and apparel for the National Team,” Chandraraj said. “However, when designing for these Olympic leotards, we really thought about what it meant to be an Olympian for Team USA and the characteristics that these top athletes all embody.

“Each Team USA athlete of the present and past exude an incredible amount of fearlessness as they step on the mat each competition to not only compete incredibly difficult routines, but to do it on the world’s largest stage,” he continued. “When they are competing, they are composed, focused, strong and fearless.”