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The Olympics: The best uniforms in the history of the Games

15 Sep 2000:  Flag Bearer and Judo competitor Kosei Inoue leads the Japan Olympic Team round during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Japan's flag bearer Kosei Inoue during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Games. (Getty)

The first glimmer of Olympic colour comes when the thousands of athletes enter the Olympic Stadium for each opening ceremony.

Each Olympic Games always brings out memorable uniforms, too.

We at Yahoo Sport have made a list of nine of the best uniforms in Olympic history - and some that didn't quite hit the mark.

Japan – Sydney 2000

15 Sep 2000:  Flag Bearer Kosei Inoue leads team Japan during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
The colourful raincoats worn by the Japanese stole the show at the 2000 Games Opening Ceremony (Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT/Getty Images)

All eyes were on Japan’s combination of colourful raincoats and black T-shirts during the opening parade in Sydney.

New Zealand – Athens 2004

ATHENS - AUGUST 13:  The delegation from New Zealand walk during the parade of nations, part of the opening ceremonies for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games on August 13, 2004 at the Sports Complex Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.  (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
New Zealand adopted a look similar to that of the All Blacks in 2004 (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

At the 2004 Olympics, New Zealand sported a monochrome uniform to honour their rugby team known as the All Blacks.

Jamaica – London 2012

Jamaica's flagbearer Usain Bolt leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012.    AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON        (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages)
The Jamaican delegation led by Usain Bolt at the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Games (CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages)

Designed by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter, the vibrant uniform perfectly captured the country’s spirit and will go down in history along with Usain Bolt's records.

Russia – Atlanta 1996

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19:  Members of the Russian Federation delegation tour the Olympic Stadium late 19 July during opening ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. The competition is scheduled to start 20 July. (for editorial use only) AFP-IOPP/ Gabriel BOUYS  (Photo credit should read AF/AFP via Getty Images)
The Russian delegation at the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Atlanta (AF/AFP via Getty Images)

Competing in the Olympics for the first time since the end of the Soviet Union, Russia chose an all-white uniform decorated with the Olympic rings.

Japan – Tokyo 1964

(FILES) Photo taken 10 October 1964 shows the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympic Games at Tokyo's national stadium. Tokyo is making a head start bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics, with its nationalist leader hoping to restore some of the glory of Japan's first Games after Beijing showcases China's rise in 2008. Japan, which is emerging from a decade-long economic slump, has become the first nation to formally inform the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of its candidacy for the 2016 Games which won't be decided until mid-2009.    AFP PHOTO/JIJI PRESS (Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS FILES / AFP) / Japan OUT        (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)
The Japanese delegation at the opening of the 1964 Olympics, at home (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The last time it hosted the Games, Japan stole the spotlight during the opening parade. With red jackets, white trousers and impressive synchronisation, the athletes created an incredible visual effect for spectators.

Malaysia – London 2012

Members of Malaysia's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012.     AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN        (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)
Malaysia’s original attire at the opening of the 2012 Games in London (OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)

With a bold combination of yellow and orange, this Southeast Asian country captured the world's attention at the opening of the London Games.

Australia – Rio 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 05: Jessica Fox (C) and other members of the Australia team take part in the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
In 2016, Australia paid tribute to the fashion of 1924 (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

For the Olympic Games in Rio, Australia chose to look back at its 1924 uniform. The striped jackets and white shorts were chosen to match South America's tropical climate.

The United Kingdom – London 2012

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27:  Sir Chris Hoy of the Great Britain Olympic cycling team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
As the Olympic hosts, Team GB opted for a simple but no less effective look (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

In all-white uniforms with golden detailing, all eyes were on the UK delegation during the parade in their home capital.

Sweden – Athens 2004

ATHENS - AUGUST 13:  Flag bearer Lars Frolander leads team Sweden during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games on August 13, 2004 at the Sports Complex Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Sweden had different uniforms for men and women at the 2004 Olympics (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

The Swedish delegation proved that classics exist for a reason. With plain white dresses and a small shoulder bag in the country’s colours, Sweden combined style with simplicity.

DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS

Russia – London 2012

Russian players pose on the podium after winning the bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games men's basketball competition at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 12, 2012. The US won the gold medal followed by the silver to Spain and the bronze to Russia. AFP PHOTO /MARK RALSTON        (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)
Russian players pose on the podium after winning the bronze medal in 2012 (MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)

Russia opted for a uniform with a splash of colour at the London Games. The combination of colours and the swirly print on the jacket was a bit too much, along with the name of the country printed across their chests.

Hungary – Beijing 2008

Hungary's delegation parades during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing.  Over 10,000 athletes from some 200 countries are going to compete in 38 differents disciplines during the event, between August 9 to 24.   AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
The Hungarian Delegation at the 2008 Games Opening Ceremony in Beijing (WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

The mix of white and red didn't work for the Hungarians in 2008 either. The idea was to have floral detailing on white dresses, but from a distance they looked more like bloodstains than anything else.

Spain – London 2012

Spain's players pose on the podium after winning the silver medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games men's basketball competition at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 12, 2012. The US won the gold medal followed by the silver to Spain and the bronze to Russia. AFP PHOTO /MARK RALSTON        (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)
Spain’s basketball team wearing a uniform that was criticised by many teammates (MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)

Many jokes circulated around the London Games that Spain’s uniforms looked more like they were designed for McDonald's employees. The uniforms were harshly criticised by the athletes, who said they were embarrassed to wear them.