Uniqlo vs Li-Ning: The textile tech battle at the Olympics

This year’s Olympics were as much of a style arena, as one for sports and competition. From Mongolia’s universally praised traditional looks, to China’s widely-panned “gendered” national uniforms — amid feats of incredible of athleticism and world-class performances, Olympics fashion has emerged top-of-mind over the last few weeks. More recently, China’s table tennis team’s “sweaty-looking” uniforms were the latest looks to be criticized by netizens and commentators. According to multiple media reports, netizens questioned whether the “three dragon-themed” uniforms designed by Li-Ning were in fact functional enough for sports. The backlash took place most notably during Chinese player Fan Zhendong’s winning match against Sweden’s Truls Moregard — where Fan, clad in a red Li-Ning uniform, was seen toweling off sweat from his face and body; standing next to Moregard who looked cooler in a blue Uniqlo-designed uniform. “For people with a tendency to sweat a lot, Li-Ning's competition uniforms are too thin and light,” commented netizen @twistedshrimpcrackers. “When the sweat is full, no matter how quick it dries, it will be useless.” “Ouch, I thought I was the only one who noticed the sweatiness!” wrote another netizen in the same post. “When Fan Zhendong played in the final, his clothes were soaked and stuck to his body. He kept pulling them off. The opponent was wearing Uniqlo clothes, which didn't stick to his body at all. He looked very fresh.” “This is not only a difference in clothes, but also a reflection of the level of Japan's textile machinery industry,” wrote another netizen @lackluster. Li-Ning responded by stating that the company always places great importance on the athletes' experience with their uniforms. The coaches and athletes of the Chinese table tennis team also expressed their approval of the uniforms provided by Li-Ning, and stated they had no feedback regarding product quality issues has been received so far. Additionally, regarding a rumored removal of the three dragon-themed uniforms from Li-Ning stores, store employees pointed out that two of the uniforms are still being sold in larger physical stores at a price of 599 RMB ($82) each, though stock is limited. Some authorized online Li-Ning stores also confirmed that all three dragon-themed uniforms are still available for purchase. The controversy surrounding China’s table tennis uniforms at the Olympics highlights lessons for brands. The incident underscores the importance of balancing aesthetics with functionality to avoid a public backlash. The comparison to Uniqlo's advanced textile technology, which kept the Swedish player cooler, serves as a reminder that leveraging cutting-edge materials can provide a competitive edge. Moreover, the swift response from Li-Ning emphasizes the need for brands to actively address consumer concerns and perceptions, particularly during high-profile events where every detail is scrutinized. Additional reporting by William Zhou.

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Uniqlo vs Li-Ning: The textile tech battle at the Olympics