It may seem like the 2020 Summer Olympics just wrapped (and that’s because they did after being delayed till 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic). So if the 2022 Winter Olympics snuck up on you, you’re not alone.
The Opening Ceremony is taking place this Friday, February 4, and we’re rounding up everything you need to know to tune in. We’re also highlighting some of the fashion and sportswear brands you’ll see Team USA sporting, and where to buy Olympic-themed merch for your viewing parties. Below, your must-read recap to get you ready to watch the games, in style.
Where to Watch
Like past years, NBC airs the games across its network and is available on streaming channels such as Peacock, YouTube TV, and on Hulu+ for live-TV subscribers.
The global event all kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on February 4 at 6:30 a.m. ET from Beijing, China. Athletes will gather in the same stadium that held the 2008 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies (China is the first country to host both the summer and winter games). While NBC said it won’t be sending announcers to Beijing this year due to COVID-19 concerns, they will be broadcasting from NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut instead.
All events will come to an end on February 20, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 4 to March 13.
What Your Favorite Athletes Will Wear
As usual, the country’s go-to designer for all Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremony uniforms, Ralph Lauren, has designed new and innovative gear for the athletes to wear during the special events. Earlier this month, the brand unveiled its Opening Ceremony uniforms, which features Intelligent Insulation, an innovative temperature responsive fabric. According to the brand, the sustainably-sourced material adapts and expands in cooler temperatures to create another layer of insulation.
As the games go on, viewers will spot a slew of American sportswear companies who had a hand in designing uniforms for specific events. Volcom, the official outfitter of the U.S. Snowboard Team, is providing the athletes with its Volcom Owl 3 Layer Gore Jacket, Volcom Utility Puff and the TDS INF Gore-Tex Jacket (all decked out in a graphic stars and stripes motif), to help them withstand the toughest conditions.
For the USA Curling team, Columbia Sportswear worked closely with the organization to outfit the athletes in its four way-stretch, moisture-wicking fabrics designed with curve decals and stars throughout.
And according to Footwear News, Nike has designed athletes’ podium outfits, consisting of light blue jackets and darker pants, that Team USA will wear during the medal ceremonies.
Where to Buy Your Own 2022 Winter Olympics Gear
For fans at home who want to get in on the fun, there are some special collections available to shop now so you can cheer on your favorite teams while being appropriately fitted.
Kith partnered with Team USA to design a 27-piece line of hoodies, puffers, sweats, bucket hats, socks and snowboards, all featuring winter landscape designs or vintage-inspired USA Olympic logos that will fool anyone into thinking you just made the US team.
Ralph Lauren also created an Olympics-theme collection full of coats, sweaters, leggings and winter accessories, to rep team USA from home.
After creating an Olympics capsule collection for the 2020 Summer Games, SKIMS brought back its limited collection of sleepwear and loungewear adored with USA logos, modeled by Team USA athletes. While styles are selling out, you can still snag tops, sweatpants, robes and more on skims.com.
