China's Winter Olympic podium wear blends aesthetics and innovation

With Chinese athletes arriving in Italy ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, their award ceremony outfits come into view, blending Eastern aesthetics with winter sports elements.

The podium wear features a red-and-white color scheme. The red, a symbolic color for China, reflects cultural heritage, while the white is inspired by winter sporting landscapes.

Traditional auspicious patterns known as the "double victory motif" are applied to the shoulders and cuffs of the outfits. Formed by two interlocking diamond shapes, the motif symbolizes victory and good fortune. A snowflake-inspired variation is integrated into the "CHINA" lettering on the back of the outfits, expressing wishes for success at the Games.

The award ceremony shoes follow the same color palette. Drawing inspiration from the muscular and skeletal structure of a horse, the design echoes hopes for strong performances as the Year of the Horse approaches.

Beyond aesthetics, the outfits also showcase China's advances in professional sports technology. Designed around the athletes' practical needs, the apparel combines innovative materials and structural solutions to improve warmth, breathability and protection. Aerospace-derived technologies such as thermal-locking insulation have been applied to the Winter Olympic award ceremony apparel for the first time.