White shirt and shorts worn by Rafer Johnson at the 1984 Summer Olympics

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A white t-shirt and shorts set worn by decathlete Rafer Johnson in the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad. .1: The tank top style t-shirt is made from a cotton blend fabric with an Olympic logo at the proper left chest. The logo features the "star in motion" design with the Olympic rings below. The logo is split into three (3) sections and sewn onto the shirt. At the center of the bottom edge of the shirt is sewn a crotch-cover that closes with two (2) hook-and-eye fasteners, to keep the shirt tucked into place while being worn. The t-shirt is machine stitched, with the bottom edge serge-stitched, but not mass-produced. There is no manufacturer's tag. .2: The shorts are a high-cut runner's style made from velour sewn wrong-side out.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗