NEW YORK—The 2010 Winter Olympics have officially begun, and Vision Monday is keeping tabs on the optical companies who will have a marked presence at the Games in Vancouver.  



Polo Ralph Lauren designed this year's official U.S. Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony Parade Uniforms for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, as well as a unique collection of village wear apparel and accessories.Celebrating the rich history of the Olympic Winter Games with a nod to the Lake Placid Games of 1932, the clothing will showcase a classic Americana and patriotic palette of red, white and blue. 

“[Polo Ralph Lauren] truly understands the honor bestowed upon Team USA athletes," said Lisa Baird, USOC chief marketing officer. 











Rudy Project champion athlete Giorgio Di Centa, gold winner in the 50km and the 4x10 km relay at the Torino 2006 Olympics, and standard bearer of the light blue flag in Canada, will be representing Italy at the opening ceremony on the 12th. The company has already set its sights on repeating the successes of 2006 where they won a total of 45 medals. For the 21st Winter Olympics in February, Rudy Project will be participating with athletes from various countries, including Germany, Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy. As well as Giorgio Di Centa, other famous names in cross-country skiing sporting Rudy Project will be Arianna Follis, Marianna Longa and Cristian Zorzi from Italy, René Sommerfeld and Alex Teichmann from Germany, and Anna Haag and Norgrenn Britta from Sweden. Additionally, there is the twice-Olympic speed skating Italian champion Enrico Fabris and German champion Michael Rösch. Rumor has it that these athletes favorite Rudy Project style this year is the Noyz Fluo…


Oakley, Inc. released a new Global Collection of products to honor the Winter Olympics, including a special edition Fuel Cell sunglass and Crowbar snow goggle that feature custom Oakley art which is a tribute to all the nations that are sending their best to Vancouver. “This special collection pays tribute to an event that unites the world in the fellowship of athletic competition,” said Colin Baden, CEO of Oakley. “Many Olympians will rely on Oakley innovations as they strive for Gold, and the new Global Collection turns these special editions into keepsakes and collectibles, mementos that let fans carry the memories of this thrilling chapter in sports history.” Both styles feature bold graphics that a depict flags of nations motif…


Smith is also taking part in the Vancouver Games with a team of athletes competing in the Snowboard Half Pipe. From the U.S., Mason Aguirre and the legendary Scotty Lago, who are members of the Frends Crew (spelled without the "i" to emphasize the collective nature of the group). The Frends Crew is made up of riders whose aim is to move the sport away from its recent competitive and business focus and return it to its grass roots. Mason Aguirre got close to the podium during the Olympic Games of Turin 2006, while Scotty Lago got the first place in FIS World Cup in Halfpipe and the second place at the X Games Slopestyle 2009. But Smith isn’t discriminating when it comes to talent, European athletes, among the others, like Janne Korpi from Finland, who won the O’Neill Evolution Slopestyle in Davos in January 2009, and Johann Baisamy from France will also be wearing an assortment of Smith helmets and goggles at the Games.