London 2012: Seb Coe picks up Olympic uniform

Sebastian Coe was among the first people to pick up his uniform for the Olympics and Paralympics today.

Lord Coe, who is chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), collected his kit from the London 2012 Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre (UDAC) in east London, which opened today.

He was joined by LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton and some Games Makers - the volunteers who will help in a variety of roles during London 2012.

The UDAC is the first fully operational London 2012 Games time venue to open and will be the main base for accreditation and uniform distribution for up to 70,000 Games Makers as well as paid staff and contractors.

It will also supply uniforms to LOCOG staff, technical officials and eligible contractors. The uniforms are collectively made up of 765.92 miles of fabric, 359.37 miles of thread, 730,610 buttons and 1,069,034 zips.

Lord Coe said: “It’s a proud moment to be here alongside our fantastic Games Makers picking up our Games uniforms and accreditation. The Games are almost upon us and our Games Makers will be front and centre of the welcome we give the world.”

UDAC has 70 fitting rooms and a staff of 525 people (343 of whom are volunteers).

Additional uniform distribution centres will open in Weymouth and Portland, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow and Coventry for Games Makers and staff working at 2012 Games venues outside of London.

The Games Maker uniform was designed by LOCOG with London 2012’s official sportswear provider adidas. The Technical Official uniform was designed by LOCOG with British retailer and London 2012’s official clothing and homeware supplier Next.