Yup. This is what you wear when you appear in an a non-performative, official capacity. eg;
- Opening ceremony (Closing tends to a lot more "informal" with a mixed bag of track suits and polo tees)
- Official Public appearances and/or Sponsors call
- Official functions
- Official travel (eg, to Paris)
It's not so much about performance though it can have an indirect effect.
eg;
I can't imagine traveling long haul 13hrs to Paris in the Mongolian team attire or a Hanfu.
Also, I also can't quite see how the Mongolian team attire is comfortable over the entire duration of an opening ceremony which, for the participant, can be up to 8hrs ... from forming up at the hotel, to transit, to holding area, to stacking up the procession, to actual march in, to just standing/seating through the entire ceremony. All this is the summer heat.
As I've said, the style of the Mongol attire looks like an all or nothing enseme. You can't unbutton some buttons for a more cooling, relaxed fit. You can't take off a jacket if your lounging waiting.
So yeah, it can have an indirect effect on the athlete's condition for the next day or two if the attire is a uncomfortable sweatbox. For that matter, athletes who are concerned about their performance being affected, they outright do not attend the opening ceremony or are ordered not to sometimes.
Flowy is showy but not practical. Just needs one person to have those loose elements get caught in a door or escalator for viral vids that we don't need.
I agree that those jackets are quite western in style but they are practical.
Going with the theme that Jackets are practical - an alternative could be a Chinese style jacket with mandarin collars and frog buttons ... but then you'll have issues of looking like a waiter or some racist ching-chongy throwback jacket comment.
Medal presentation is always in track suits.
Did I mention I really love the China team track suits?
