August 9 – The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) has vowed to take action against its victorious men’s team after the players failed to wear their official tracksuits at the gold medal ceremony in a dispute over rival sponsors.
All athletes in the Brazilian delegation had been told in advance they had to wear the team’s IOC-approved official uniform, which is provided by Chinese company Peak Sport, but the players went to the podium wearing their Nike jerseys.
Nike sponsors the Brazilian football team but Peak sponsors the Brazilian Olympic Committee.
The committee released a statement on Sunday condemning attitude of the players and the Brazilian soccer confederation after the team beat Spain in the final to win gold.
“After the end of the Games the Brazilian Olympic Committee will make public the measures that will be taken to preserve the rights of the Olympic movement, of our sponsors and of other athletes,” the committee said.
“The COB repudiates the attitude of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the players of the national team during the awards ceremony.”
Players told Brazilian media they were only following orders from the Brazilian soccer confederation. Some reports said the confederation was not aware of the requirement that athletes had to wear the official Team Brazil uniform on the podium.
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