What happens to sports kit that never gets worn?

When elite athletes don't wear their Olympic uniforms, the clothing often remains untouched. In a warehouse on England's southern coast, boxes are stacked with pristine Team GB attire from Paris 2024 and Milan Cortina 2026, including garments for opening ceremonies. While some of these items may eventually be resold, the process is fraught with commercial constraints and logistical hurdles.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has teamed up with a specialist resale platform called Kitround, where hundreds of surplus Team GB garments will be offered for sale, with proceeds supporting the BOA's charity arm, the Team GB Foundation. The surplus arises partly because athletes need clothing designed for competition, which makes reducing quantities or altering materials challenging.

Additionally, contracts can prohibit reuse or hold back innovative designs. Athletes' pursuit of a competitive edge can also contribute to surplus, as they may discard items that don't meet their exact needs. Moreover, changes in sponsors can render athletes' clothing unusable. However, more organizations are exploring ways to repurpose elite sports kit, such as selling it to the public at lower prices.

By keeping clothing in use through reuse, repair, and resale, the goal is to create a circular economy for sports equipment, reducing waste and making sport more accessible to those who might otherwise struggle to afford new gear.