Olympic victory ceremony costumes unveiled

Organizers of the Beijing Olympics have unveiled the costumes for medal ceremony hostesses. The designs fully reflect traditional styles of Chinese fashion.

A model displays the dress for Olympics medal ceremony hostesses at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, July 17, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

The medal ceremony costumes showcased 16 different styles. Meanwhile, the flag holders will wear formal suits.

Five different sets of costumes will be worn by hostesses during the 302 medal ceremonies between August 8 and 24. Each series has been designed for certain sporting events.

In the "Blue and White Porcelain series"... world famous traditional Chinese handicraft characteristics are enhanced by color. They will be worn during Olympic aquatic-related events.

One of the biggest attractions of the "Sapphire blue series" can be seen at the waist. The designer uses  traditional embroidery to showcase Chinese peony texture. These costumes will be worn during gymnastics, fencing and indoor ball games.

The "Chinese scholar tree's green series" correspond to a "Green Olympics" theme. These costumes will be worn during cycling, shooting and the modern pentathlon event.

The "Jade White series" ingeniously reflects the idea of using gold and jade on Olympic medals. This series will be worn during outdoor ball games, equestrian events and also in the national stadium.

The "Pink series" will be worn during boxing, weight-lifting and wrestling. The designer wishes to use the soft pink color to neutralize the severe nature of the competition.

The design of the podiums where awards will be presented was also unveiled on Thursday.  The podium -- called the "jade belt and lucky cloud" -- symbolizes uniting the all of the people around the world as friends through the Olympic Games. 

A model displays the dress for Olympics medal ceremony hostesses at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, July 17, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Models pose for a photo wearing dresses for Olympics medal  ceremony hostesses at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, July 17, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Models pose for a photo wearing dresses for Olympics medal ceremony  hostesses at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, July 17, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]