In looking back on memorable highlights of the 2016 Rio Olympics, most television viewers might recall swimmers and runners setting new records, teams celebrating hard-fought victories and athletes overcome by emotion.

For two University of Delaware alumni, the memories center on gymnasts — not only their athletic feats but also their snazzy uniforms.

Julia Focht Kline, of the Class of 2003, and Emma Sidoriak, of the Class of 2014, both graduates in apparel design from the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, are members of the department at GK Elite Sportswear that created uniforms worn in competition by U.S. and Dutch gymnasts.

The company, based in Reading, Pennsylvania, also made the uniforms worn in this year’s Olympics by the Russian and New Zealand gymnastics teams.

“I have had the opportunity to design custom apparel for many athletes, including gymnasts, cheerleaders and figure skaters,” said Kline, who joined GK Elite after graduation and designed most of the U.S. women’s leotards for the Rio Games, as well as the Russian leotards.

“Through these unique markets, I have developed an expertise utilizing Swarovski Crystals in one-of-a-kind apparel and custom designs projects.”

Those crystals provided the sparkle to the U.S. women’s team uniforms that caught spectator and media attention at the Rio Games. An Aug. 3 New York Times article traced the “bedazzling” of American gymnasts’ uniforms from their plain-white look a couple of decades ago to today’s crystal-covered leotards designed to enhance the sport’s aesthetic elements and its appeal to young athletes.

Sidoriak joined GK Elite’s design department relatively recently, after earning bachelor’s degrees in apparel design and economics, as well as a certificate in socially responsible and sustainable apparel from UD. She said she was new to the job when the Netherlands team approached the company for its design proposals for Olympic competition, and she submitted a few of her own ideas for the men’s team.

“I helped revise the designs throughout the selection process and helped to bring them to life by creating production paperwork, which involves communicating sewing and embellishment information to pattern makers and the factory floor,” she said. “Several designers developed the jewels that went on the women’s leotards, and I created the sublimated artwork for the men’s uniforms. Many of the designs are a collaboration of several designers’ work.”

GK Elite, which has created gymnastics apparel since 1981, has partnerships with USA Gymnastics and Under Armour. The company, which also has its factory in Reading, has been designing and manufacturing the U.S. national team’s apparel since 2013.

“Our company is extremely successful in a very unique, niche market that has perfected the fit for high-level athletes around the world,” Kline said.

“Because of the apparel we create, the GK team has had some amazing opportunities this year, including a huge role in creating the apparel for men’s Olympic trials and women’s Olympic trials. We individually fit the women’s Olympic team the morning after the team was named to ensure that every leotard fit perfectly. It is such an honor to work with the USA Gymnastics teams, all of whom are amazing people and athletes.”