Parade of Nations – Refugee Olympic Team
French: Équipe Olympique des Réfugiés // English: Refugee Olympic Team // Japanese: 難民オリンピックチーム (Nanmin orinpikkuchīmu)
Since the modern revival of the Olympic Games, there have been cases of individual athletes being unable, or unwilling, to compete in events for their national teams. The creation of an official team for such athletes began at the 1992 Summer and 1992 Winter Olympic games under the various names of “Independent Olympic Participants,” “The Unified Team,” “Individual Olympic Athletes,” and “Olympic Athletes from Russia.” However, the “Refugee Olympic Team” was created for the 2016 Summer Olympics specifically to “show solidarity with the world’s refugees” during the European migrant crisis that began in 2014. The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics will be the team’s second appearance.
Kimono Designer: Komatsu Miwa/ 小松 美羽
Kimono Maker: Okano/ 岡野
Technique: Hakata-Ori/博多織
“The organization asked Komatsu Miwa, an up-and-coming modern & contemporary artist active on the world stage, to create the design based on the theme of her art installation, ‘Prayer.’ Creating the design on the inner lining, rather than the exterior, reflects a hidden wish for peace inside the heart of the artist. The lining also includes Komatsu-san’s autograph. The white outer silk of the kimono features a custom-made pattern made to resemble a coat of feathers called ‘Torres pattern,’ (トーレス文様).” [1]
Obi Designer: Komatsu Miwa/ 小松 美羽
Obi Maker: Okano/ 岡野
Technique: Hakata-Ori/博多織
“The world view of ‘yin and yang’ is woven with gold and silver color scheme in the eyes of the beast as a motif. The back is woven with a colorful striped pattern to reflect diversity.” [1]
Bibliography
Source 1 – Kimono Project for IOC Refugee Olympic Team
(https://kimono.piow.jp/nation/213.html)
Index Page – IOWKP x Tokyo 2020 Parade of Nations