AUSSIE officials defend abandoning the green and gold for the opening ceremony, saying the new colour scheme was hip and not for old fogies.

But our leading fashion designers labelled the shiny tie-dye blue tracksuits as sloppy and said the decision to abandon our traditional green and gold colours was un-Australian.

Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said the radical switch to blue uniforms -- the first time an Australian team had marched without any green or gold -- was a deliberate measure to modernise the look and feel of the Aussie uniform.

``Every time we wear green and gold people say, `Why are we wearing green and gold?'. You can't win,'' he said.

``The athletes loved it. It's not for old fogies. As Melanie (Roche, the Aussie softballer) said, `it's hip'.''

The uniform was created by Sportscraft designers in consultation with the AOC athletes' commission comprising 10 former and current Olympians.

``The athletes picked it -- they loved it,'' Mr Tancred said. ``It reflected the light -- that was the design feature that Sportscraft wanted.

``It's a uniform for young athletes and the girls, particularly last night in the village, were all wearing theirs.

``They all wore it by choice and took photos of one another and they absolutely loved it.

``It's no good putting 18-year-olds in a blazer and a boater or a Great Gatsby cap like the Americans had because that's not what they want to wear.''

Softballer Roche said she loved the uniforms because they reflected one of the broader themes of the Games -- hi-technology.

``When I was looking up on to the big screen, they were talking about the hi-tech olympics and my first gut reaction was, that's what our uniforms are,'' she said.

``I think we are the most hi-tech looking team out there, so I think the committee and the designers have done a wonderful job.

``I think we're pretty hip. It's a sign of what this team is about and hopefully it will go into our performances.''

A live blog conducted by The Sunday Times' Olympic website, Beijing Now, was flooded with negative comments the moment James Tomkins led the athletes into the stadium.

A Beijing Now online poll showed 48 per cent were ``horrified'' by the uniforms while 24 per cent were ``wowed'' and 28 per cent were ``indifferent''.

Fashion icon Peter Morrissey said our Aussie stars looked ``unprofessional'' in the tracksuits and were not dressed like winners or first-rate athletes.

``The Americans wore beautiful Ralph Lauren blazers and the Australians walked into the arena looking far too relaxed, like they had just come from the gym,'' he said.

``Green and gold are not the greatest colours in the world but they are our colours and our athletes should look back on our heritage and wear them.''

Mr Morrissey, who designs Qantas uniforms and created State of Origin suits, said the Australian Olympic team should wear a chic, smart outfit to the opening ceremony -- not trackie dacks.

Jean queen Bettina Liano, who stayed up to analyse the uniforms, said the elegant Japanese outfits, the Swedish pyjamas and the swish American suits were her fashion favourites.
She said the Australian team should have worn the identifying green and gold hues.

``We looked like a giant swimming team -- or maybe like the Far North Queensland Olympic team,'' she said.

``I have no idea why they didn't use green and gold. I would have done green and gold with an Aboriginal theme, a bit of red and black.

``I loved the American uniform, it was classic sportswear, fashionable and they looked so swish with their racy suits.''

Nicola Finetti said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should have worn the Olympic uniform to the opening ceremony, along with other world leaders.

News.com.au

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What do you think of the blue Australian team uniform?

Personally I was very disappointed, the trackie dacks looked cheap and like something bought from Cheap as Chips. Bring back the Green and Gold!

I voted for 'modern' but to me, a lot of 'modern' fashion just looks bloody disgusting!

Actually, looking at the photo - we look like we should be the American team!