By Lisa Sylvester
(CNN) - They are the pride of America: the U.S. Olympic team. But their 2012 uniforms are made in China.
Ralph Lauren touts on its website that it's the proud outfitter of Team USA. but not everybody's happy with the company's sourcing
"I am so upset that I think the Olympic Committee should be ashamed of themselves, I think they should be embarrassed, I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again," said Sen. Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader.
Reid isn't the only one with strong opinions about it. U.S. fashion designer Nanette Lepore said this was an opportunity to help support U.S. jobs.
"It's very disturbing because it could have been made here in the United States, in New York City or any other city where there is factories that still exist," Lepore said. "And it's frustrating for us because it is a cause we've been fighting for and we've been trying to raise awareness and trying to convince designers to bring work back to our shores….this would have been the perfect opportunity."
The U.S. Olympic Committee responded with this statement:
"Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the U.S. Olympic team is privately funded and we're grateful for the support of our sponsors. We're proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company, and excited to watch America's finest athletes compete at the upcoming games in London."
But free market advocates like the Cato Institute say none of this is surprising. Globalization means manufacturing companies will be drawn to countries where the costs are lowest.
"When companies are able to outsource, they are able to produce most competitively, they are able to attend to their costs and when they can do that, then they can deliver better quality, greater variety at lower prices for U.S. consumers," said Dan Ikenson, of the Cato Institute.
But in the case of the U.S. official Olympic gear anyone can buy, the items are not cheap. The Team USA ceremony beret is $55; the classic fit shirt is $89.50; the tie is $125; the men's double breast blazer is $795; the belt costs $85; flat front men's trousers are $295; and the shoes are $165.
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