Team China's Asian Games gear unveiled in Beijing

The Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning jointly unveiled Team China’s 20th Asian Games podium outfits at the National Olympic Sports Center in Beijingon Aug 3.

Officials from the COC and China Media Group, along with LiNing, the eponymousfounder and chairman of the sportswear brand, attended the unveiling of the new outfits alongside athletes from China’s national shooting, diving, table tennis, fencing and water polo squads.

The ceremony featured a symbolic tribute to China’s Asian Games history, recreating the iconic torch relay scene from the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. Dawa Yangzong and Li revisited the historic torch handover moment, while Xu Haifeng and Gao Min, who lit the main cauldron at the 1990 Games, joined Li Xiaoshuang, Tang Jiuhong and other athletes from the event, together with current Team China representatives, to illuminate a star-shaped installation.

The ceremony marked a symbolic relay of sporting glory spanning 36 years. Singer Wei Wei also performed the classic Asian Games anthem The Mighty Wind of Asia.

A dedicated exhibition space highlighted the integration of sporting heritage, cultural elements and technological innovation behind the new podium outfits. The “Asian Games Glory Space” showcased Li-Ning’s long-standing connection with Chinese sports, which began in 1990 when it became the first Chinese professional sports brand to support the Chinese delegation at the Asian Games.

Inspired by the design concept of “Radiant Stars”, the 2026 Asian Games podium outfits feature a blue color palette decorated with dynamic star patterns. The design combines traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern sports fashion, and expressesthe hope that Chinese athletes will shine on the international stage.

Technology is at the core of the new outfits. They incorporate fiber technology that uses phase-change temperature-control materials with the same origin as those used in the Chang’e-1 lunar probe.

Through a melt-spinning process, the materials are transformed into temperature-regulating fibers and woven into the fabric, helping athletes maintain comfort in environments with changing temperatures.

Li-Ning is the first professional sports brand in the world to apply this aerospace technology to sportswear. The innovation has received international recognition, including the prestigious Red Dot Award for Design Concept, the MUSE Design Awards’ Platinum Award and the New York Design Awards’ Gold Award.

The Li-Ning PRIMUS Exceed MAX SE podium shoes feature the latest visible cushioning BOOM Arc Technology, combined with a Carbon Core-Drive System. Designed for professional athletes during medal ceremonies, extended standing periods and light daily training, the shoes provide a responsive and supportive wearing experience.

During the launch event, the full lineup of competition uniforms for five Chinese national teamsquads participating in the Asian Games was also unveiled for the first time.