In their fifth Olympics as official supplier of the Australian Winter Olympic Team, XTM will provide gloves, base layers, boots, bags and accessories for all athletes and Team officials, including battery-powered heated socks and gloves.

The XTM accessories incorporate Beijing 2008 boxer and proud Wakka Wakka Wanyurr Majay, Yuggera man Paul Fleming’s ‘Walking Together’ artwork, which was commissioned by the AOC. It includes a central meeting place signifying the Olympics bringing people together and footsteps representing the Indigenous athletes who have competed at an Olympic Games.

Learn more about Paul connecting to culture through Aboriginal art.

Australia has been represented by 60 Indigenous Australian Olympians known to the AOC, 59 Indigenous summer athletes and by figure skater Harley Windsor who competed at PyeongChang 2018.

The designs have also been incorporated throughout the Team’s competition and delegation uniform with Karbon.

Finalising their pre-Games preparation in Reiteralm, Austria, snowboarders including Belle Brockhoff and Cameron Bolton showcased the XTM designs in the frigid conditions.

The heated gloves and socks are an Olympic first for the Australian Team, developed and launched by XTM specifically ahead of Beijing 2022. With a power bank offering up to six hours of heat at three different levels, all Australian athletes will receive a pair to combat the extremely cold conditions of the Chinese alpine area, making sure they can keep toasty throughout the Games when not competing.

Chef de Mission Geoff Lipshut praised XTM for supplying outstanding accessories for the Olympic Team.

“It is an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate Australia’s proud Indigenous Olympic history as the Team competes in Beijing,” Mr Lipshut said.

“To know the athletes are connecting to Australia’s rich Indigenous history, in a design by a fellow Olympian is a special honour. Thank you Paul Fleming for sharing this artwork, I can’t wait to see our athletes wearing this kit in just a matter of days.

“XTM have once again provided world-class accessories to ensure our athletes can be warm and comfortable in whatever conditions come their way in Beijing. Thank you to the entire XTM team for your ongoing support of Australian winter athletes and for designing uniform accessories that the Team will be so thrilled to wear.”

“Owner Peter Forras, an Olympic alpine skier himself in 1988, knows what works for athletes. Peter and his team at XTM have been fantastic long-term supporters of Australia’s winter sport athletes, from back in 2004 when they provided their first gloves to Olympic Winter of Australia athletes. XTM has always listened to athletes to develop products that work best for the athletes of today and tomorrow.”

Dual Olympic sprinter and Chair of the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee Patrick Johnson said showcasing the Indigenous designs throughout the winter team will can inspire the athletes and the Australian community.

“I’m incredibly proud and honoured that this will be the first time that an Indigenous design will be worn by Winter Olympians,” Mr Johnson said.

“It shows how the power of sport can create awareness, education, and an opportunity for all Australians and the world to share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rich culture and history of this country, deepening their connection to the land, water, and seas.

“These are the first steps of the reconciliation journey that acknowledge, recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in a Winter Olympics and through the Australia Olympic movement.

“I hope that all athletes can feel a deeper connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rich cultural heritage and are empowered by the knowledge and strength that they are a part of a reconciliation journey that will inspire generations to come. I wish all the athletes the very best in their performances as they proudly represent Australia and know they inspire and nation and the world to dream anything is possible.”

Snowboard Cross athlete Cameron Bolton, selected for his third Olympics in Beijing, said it was an honour to wear designs celebrating Australia’s rich history.

“XTM have done an incredible job for the uniforms in Beijing,” Bolton said. “The artwork’s just fantastic, I’m so proud to be wearing this.

“The artwork represents everyone coming from all over the world, all colours, religions and backgrounds coming together to the Olympic Games.

“We’re Australians, we’re competing for all Australia – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and communities are the cornerstone of our history. To be able to wear Indigenous artwork, proudly wear it in front of the whole world as we compete and try to fulfil our dreams is incredibly empowering and important to me.”

1988 Winter Olympian and XTM owner Peter Forras said as soon as he saw Paul Fleming’s artwork, he wanted to see it shown to the world on Australia’s winter athletes.

“It is truly an honour and privilege to be able to work with Australia’s world-class athletes to develop the best products to keep them dry, warm, and ready to perform,” Mr Forras said.

“The AOC has taken an admirable stance in creating their Reconciliation Action Plan, and in commissioning Paul Fleming to create his beautiful piece of art. Indigenous art is so unique and rich in that each piece also tells a story.  

“I knew straight away when they shared it with us that I wanted to use it front and centre as much as we could. When sharing the first designs with Cam Bolton his response was ‘I don’t want to just wear these at the Olympics, I want to wear these for the rest of my career.’

“That was all we needed to go all out and ensure that each Team member will have part of it incorporated into their gloves, bags, and base layers. The green and gold has never looked as good as it does connected to the traditional owners of our wonderful country.”

Snowboard Cross athlete Josie Baff, who celebrated her 19th birthday this week, said she was thrilled to be wearing XTM at her Olympic debut after riding in their accessories throughout her international career.

“I’m so grateful for all the support of XTM,” Baff said. “I love their socks, they’re the best and their gloves are so warm and toasty. I’m so grateful we can have their support again for the Olympics.

“This design is so cool, ‘Walking Together’ is so fitting for the Games, I’m so excited to be able to represent Australia at my first Olympics.”