By Zjan Shirinian

The unfiorm has split opinion, with many signing an online petition calling for it to be changed ©Commonwealth Games ScotlandAlmost 25,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the "horrendous" uniforms for Scotland's athletes at the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony to be ditched.

The petition, started by Glasgow resident Richard Brown, calls the uniforms "an embarrassment to our athletes and to Scotland".

"Please step in and prevent them being used while there's still time for an emergency Plan B - before our poor, brave-faced athletes are subjected to parading around in them," he wrote on the petition.

"Please also investigate who selected this travesty of a design."

The Jilli Blackwood-designed outfits, which were revealed on Sunday (July 6), feature a vibrant blue shirt and tartan kilt for the men and a wrap-around dress, tartan shawl and stone-coloured leather bag for the women.

Scotland's athletes will walk into Celtic Park sporting the uniforms at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Blackwood, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, has defended the uniforms, saying "if everyone liked it, I wouldn't be doing my job".

The online petition on change.org has been signed by almost 25,000 people as of earlier today ©change.orgThe online petition on change.org has been signed by almost 25,000 people as of earlier today ©change.org



She was commissioned by Commonwealth Games Scotland to create the parade uniforms after she designed the outfits for the cast involved in the Glasgow section of the Delhi 2010 Closing Ceremony.

Petition signatory Maureen McClelland wrote: "Truly the most horrendous articles of clothing I have ever had the misfortune of clapping my eyes on."

Another, John Houston, wrote: "One opportunity to showcase Scottish talent to the world and this is what the brainstorming session came up with...looks tacky, cheap, clashes with other colours..."

When the uniforms were revealed to athletes and officials at their Team Camp earlier this week, they appeared to win support.

Cyclist Charline Joiner, who helped model the uniform, said: "It's refreshing and a definite surprise.

"I was expecting a kilt, but love the fact the girls are in dresses this time as it's more feminine and it's still got the blue of Scotland in it.

"I love the fact it's different and also love the fact it's got a little bag because the boys have always had a sporran, but we've never had anywhere to put our phones and other items."

The Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is on July 23, with the Closing Ceremony in Hampden Park on August 3.

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