NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2011-- Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL), an official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for London 2012, today announced its roster of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls which will serve as Ralph Lauren brand ambassadors leading up to and throughout the Games.

Ralph Lauren London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Hopefuls (Photo: Business Wire)

Building on the success of the company’s involvement in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Ralph Lauren will design the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony parade uniforms for Team USA, as well as a unique collection of village wear apparel and accessories.

“The Olympic Games are the greatest sporting event in the world and we are incredibly honored to partner with this esteemed group of athletes,” said David Lauren, Executive Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications. “They embody the true spirit of American sportsmanship and we are proud to have them wear our product as they represent Team USA.”

To celebrate London 2012, Ralph Lauren will partner with a world-class roster of athletes from a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports including:

• Henry Cejudo, wrestling
• Bryan Clay, track & field: decathlon
• Jonathan Horton, gymnastics
• Jennifer Kessy, beach volleyball
• Giuseppe Lanzone, rowing
• Ryan Lochte, swimming
• Jessica Long, Paralympic swimming
• McKayla Maroney, gymnastics
• Heather Mitts, soccer
• Alexandra Raisman, gymnastics
• April Ross, beach volleyball
• Matt Scott, Paralympic basketball
• Rebecca Soni, swimming

Inspired by the 1948 Olympic Games in London, the Ralph Lauren 2012 Olympic Collection presents a mix of authentic reproductions, vintage motifs and modern sporting silhouettes in the iconic color palette of red, white and navy. The collection features reissued heritage pieces from the ‘30s and ‘40s, including fleece warm-ups, a cricket-collar shirt and sweatshirts with felt “USA” appliqués. Vintage track & field designs and embroidery give the collection an old world athletic charm. An updated 1948 crest pays homage to the year Team USA took home more medals than any other country. Modern looks include the sporty Big Pony polo with new Olympic team logo. Shirts feature graphic prints or names of countries with commemorative year “12.” Functional outerwear and technical pieces with moisture management are on offer, along with first-time Olympic-branded accessories, from tote bags and hats to towels and eyewear.

The Ralph Lauren 2012 Olympic Collection for men, women and children will be available for purchase beginning in May in select Ralph Lauren retail stores, Team USA shops, select U.S. department stores and online at www.RalphLauren.com and www.TeamUSAShop.com.

Ralph Lauren Corporation

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 44 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, American Living, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to http://www.ralphlauren.com.

U.S. Olympic Committee

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. For more information, go to www.TeamUSA.org.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50101327&lang=en

Source: Ralph Lauren Corporation

Ralph Lauren Corporation
Corporate Communications
Ryan Lally, 212-318-7116