What happens to sports kit that never gets worn?
A look at kit wastage in elite sport and what is being done to reduce it.
Elite athletes' teams, such as Team GB, often find themselves with an abundance of undamaged, unused sports kit. This surplus can include Olympic garments, tracksuits, jackets, hoodies, and T-shirts that remain in pristine condition. The issue stems from commercial constraints and performance requirements, which can lead to over-ordering and difficulty in passing on the clothing.
A new partnership aims to resell the unsold Team GB merchandise through a specialist platform, with proceeds going to the Team GB Foundation. This initiative seeks to give sportswear a second life while addressing waste in the sport industry. Despite the obstacles, organizations like Team GB are making efforts to minimize surplus by improving ordering precision and exploring opportunities for athletes to return clothing they no longer need.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
