American Olympians arriving for the Milan Cortina Winter Games have been welcomed at Milan's airport with a special fitting session for their star-spangled Ralph Lauren uniforms. The event, held at an airport hotel, saw athletes like freestyle skier and Olympic silver medalist Jaelin Kauf and her teammates giddy with anticipation as tailors prepared their ceremonial outfits.
A Stylish Start to the Games
Jaelin Kauf, a three-time Olympian, bounced with enthusiasm reminiscent of a competition's starting line as she inspected her closing ceremony ensemble. The look featured a knit turtleneck emblazoned with the U.S. flag, french-tucked into belted canvas twill trousers. These trousers were given the traditional Ralph Lauren-tuck into striped socks, completed with hiking boots for a rugged yet chic finish.
Kauf also tried on a vibrant red-white-and-blue puffer jacket marked with "2026" and "USA," along with a Nordic-style knit cap adorned with two playful tassels. She was joined by moguls teammates Olivia Giaccio, Tess Johnson, and Elizabeth Lemly, who shared in the excitement, taking selfies in a wall-size showroom mirror as tailors marked trousers for hemming and stylists offered personalized touches.
Making the Olympics Real
"This is such a fun, special experience to be a part of," said Kauf, reflecting on the moment. "It is making the Olympics real. We are in Italy, we are kicking it off getting the outfits, and they are looking so good. It is exciting to be stepping into it and feel the excitement building up to the Games."
Most U.S. athletes competing in the Winter Games pass through this Milan airport hotel, where sponsors have prepared not only uniforms but also sunglasses and other swag to ensure competitors are properly outfitted for ceremonies, medal podiums, press conferences, and free time. A Starbucks stand provided a caffeine boost for those arriving after long journeys, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.
Opening Ceremony Elegance
For the opening ceremony, Ralph Lauren provided a winter white duffel coat, a Nordic-style knit turtleneck featuring the U.S. flag and Olympic rings, and soft, pleated wool trousers. Olivia Giaccio praised the fabric's softness, calling it "very classy," while Kauf admired the meticulous branding on the duffel coat, down to "TEAM USA" inscribed on the wooden buttons and inside the hood.
"Zero notes," chimed in Tess Johnson, highlighting the team's unanimous approval of the designs.
A Longstanding Collaboration
This marks the sixth Winter Games collaboration between Ralph Lauren and Team USA. In addition to ceremony looks, athletes are receiving 30 pieces of village wear. Peter Zeytoonjian, senior vice president of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic committee's commercial arm, expressed high praise, stating, "This is the best team outfit ever, full stop. I have been doing this since 2010, since Vancouver and by far this is the best."
Zeytoonjian, sporting a red-white-and-blue cable-knit turtleneck, added, "My favorite piece for village wear is what I'm wearing. And then for closing, I love the flag sweater. It screams red, white and blue and Team USA."
Riding High on Recent Success
The women's moguls team is entering the Games with momentum, having achieved a historic first-ever sweep of the top four spots in dual moguls at a World Cup event last month. They are now en route to the freestyle 2026 Winter Games venue in Livigno, near the Swiss border, where the discipline is making its Olympic debut.
"This result just speaks volumes about this women's team," Kauf remarked. "We are just such strong skiers, such strong competitors. We came here to win. I think this is going to be a really fun event for all of us."
Athletes have been sharing their exhilaration on social media, showcasing items like undergarments from SKIMS, a novel inflatable jacket from Nike for medals ceremonies, and sunglasses from Oakley, complementing the Ralph Lauren looks. This blend of style and performance sets a confident tone as Team USA prepares to compete on the global stage.
