Olympic fans divided over Team Canada's polarizing Lululemon uniforms during 2024 Paris Games: 'Inspired by bacon'

As is often the case whenever the Olympic games roll around, uniforms have become a hot topic of discussion in Paris with many armchair fashionistas divided and polarized over the gear athletes are sporting in the village, on the podium and beyond.

Canada's Olympic garb in particular, provided by athleisure behemoth Lululemon, has drawn the ire of fans and online trolls alike. Plenty have taken to social media to voice their displeasure and have a little fun with the Canadian look, especially the tracksuits, during the 2024 Games.

"These pyjamas are embarrassing. Do better Canada!" said one user on X.

"Why does our money, our passports, and now our Olympic outfits have this terrible anti counterfeit pattern on them?" wrote another.

"They look like they’ve just committed murder," one poster wrote, while another replied: "Worst uniforms ever."

"Absolutely atrocious. Dull, boring, washed out, benign. Hard to believe the design was approved. Can’t even tell they’re for Canada," read another reply.

The "bacon" references gained a lot of steam online. Opinions on uniforms like this, however, are often so divided based on the subjectivity of fashion and style, and these Lululemon ones are no different as many fans expressed their affinity for the unique threads.

"I may give the Canadians a lot of sh*t, but I admire their style," wrote one social media user.

"I love their outfit! I was just thinking about this the other day. I want the jacket," another response read.

Though steam has certainly picked up as the Paris Games have gone on, opinions of the uniforms, both good and bad, really started surfacing before the Games even began.

And, of course, uniform discourse like this has been prevalent for basically every Summer and Winter Games since social media became so popular years ago. These are far from the first time Canadian have been unhappy with the team's Olympic outfits.

People were more than polarized over Canada's uniforms at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Lululemon, who inked a deal to become Canada's official apparel outfitter back in 2021, is the brand featured on all Canadian athletes during competition, opening and closing ceremonies, and on the podium for the duration of the Paris Olympics. The multi-year partnership is set to last through the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

In a statement released in April ahead of the Paris Games, the company explained its vision for the uniforms:

“For Paris 2024, we had the opportunity to deepen our partnership with the Olympians and Paralympians who represent Canada on the global stage,” wrote Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald.

“We took an innovation-first approach to design a collection driven by athlete insights, so they can feel and perform their best in Paris. All of us at Lululemon are honoured to support these athletes, both as individuals and a team, as they represent their country this summer.”

Video: Marketers say Olympic uniform backlash won't hamper Lululemon

During the design process, according to the company, "Lululemon led product testing and feedback sessions with 19 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes across 14 different sports to understand their unique needs during the Games."

“My biggest takeaway from this process was Lululemon’s commitment to working with Paralympians to make the pieces accessible and adaptable,” Lululemon Ambassador and Team Canada Wheelchair Rugby Player said Zak Madell said, via the release.

“It’s not only about looking good, but also about feeling good — and I can’t imagine a better way to show up for Canada. I know this kit will be a part of my daily wardrobe moving forward because of the attention to detail.”

Four-time Olympic and Tokyo 2020 decathlon gold-medalist, Damian Warner, also seemed to be on board with the uniforms ahead of the Paris Games.

“Paris will be my fourth Olympics and I have not seen a kit quite like this,” Warner said in the statement.

“We’re going to be able to showcase some of our own personal style, while showing off our Canadian pride together.”