Olympic fashion through the years

sabel Delgado Plancarte and Nuria Diosdado Garcia of Mexico compete in the Women's Duets Synchronized Swimming Free Routine Preliminary on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on Aug. 6, 2012.

Members of Australia's Hockeyroos wear the official Olympic 2000 socks during the celebrations of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, in Sydney, Australia.

Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago sports futuristic glasses at the men's Olympic 4x100m semifinals in Sydney, Sept. 29, 2000.

Graeme Brown, Brett Lancaster, Luke Roberts and Brad McGee, from left to right, of Team Australia, celebrate with their gold medals after winning the men's track cycling team pursuit final, Aug. 23, 2004, during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Velodrome within the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece.

Models demonstrate new swimwear at the second China Swim Wear Design Contest, during China Fashion Week, March 28, 2005, in Beijing, China. This particular design was inspired by the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Regina Feoktistova Wears Olympic Fashion

Olympic Inspiration – With the 2012 Olympic Games, Elle Vietnam enlists photographer Stockton Johnson to capture some sporty but seductive designs . Model Regina Feoktistova dons a bright, bold wardrobe of sportswear looks styled by Anna Katsanis. Wearing selects from the likes of Michael Kors, Karla Colletto, Gucci, Puma, Adidas by Stella McCartney, Mara Hoffman and Tommy Hilfiger, Regina gets the gold in fashion.

Olympics Fan Fashion

Best rhythmic gymnastics outfits of the London 2012 Olympics

It's lucky being a rhythmic gymnast keeps you in good shape as this white and gold leotard, as worn by Team Russia, doesn't leave much to the imagination

More is more for Ulyana Trofimova, who represented Uzbekistan in this rosy costume.

Julie Zetlin's concentrated stare is almost as intense as her Team USA purple and gold leotard.

This Chinese gymnast has a smile on her face despite her red-and-green-should-never-be-seen clashing costume. That's professionalism for you.

We're not quite sure exactly what look Azerbaijan were going for with this fiery neon costume, but we do like the jewelled neckline.

Team Kazakhstan performed in black costumes, accented with flashes of neon pink, tassels and, of course, diamantés.

If you're planning on getting into rhythmic gymnastics, make sure you have a hula hoop that matches your leotard, like Italy's Julieta Cantaluppi.

This Belarussian gymnast hit the floor in this red and black burlesque-style leotard.

Best rhythmic gymnastics outfits of the London 2012 Olympic

China's Deng Senyue accessorised this snow white sparkler with a bright red ball.

Cyprus were going for the ice maiden look when they dressed their gymnasts in blue, white and silver.

Spain's Carolina Rodriguez flies through the air like an exotic lilac bird in this lacy leotard.

South Korea's Yeon Jae Son is cute as can be in this pink and purple jewelled number.

Austria are clearly not afraid of compounding national stereotypes. They sent Caroline Weber out in this dirndl-inspired outfit, which has got to be one of our favourites.

Sexiest Olympic athletes

Coralie Balmy, swimmer, France Coralie looks good even in a swimming cap, which we assure you is no mean feat.

Brenda Castillo, volleyball, Dominican Republic With her Latina looks and honey coloured skin, Brenda Castillo has got us all dreaming of Caribbean holidays.

Maria Sharapova, tennis player, Russia Tanned, lean, blonde, do we need to explain Sharapova's blatant sex appeal any further?

Jessica Ennis, heptathlete, Great Britain A rare gem, Ennis has the whole package: looks, body and finally, a gold medal around her neck.

Federica Pellegrini, swimmer, Italy All sunkissed limbs while managing to look great without a hint of mascara, Pellegrini manages to balances femininity and athleticism effortlessly.

Fashion Gallery

Best synchronised swimming costumes of the London 2012 Olympics

GREAT BRITAIN
Intricate golden swirls and flashes of orange sadly didn't have the same panache as Team GB's previous blue wonder.

SOUTH KOREA
Is it a rainbow or a Gaudi painting? It's neither, just the fabulously colourful South Korean team pulling a pre-pool pose.

ITALY
Simple but effective, in neon green and purple sparkles, Italy's swimmers looked like elegant sea creatures.

SWITZERLAND
A teal backdrop for sequin-embellished triangles provided a more traditional contrast to Switzerland's pervious money-printed suits.

SPAIN
These red and black lacy leotards must have been inspired by Flamenco dancers.

ARGENTINA
Argentina kept their swimsuits simple in silver and monochrome but made a dramatic statement with heavy black eyeliner.

GREAT BRITAIN

A strategically-positioned royal blue firework display of sequins preserved Team GB swimmers Olivia Federici and Jenna Randall's modesty.

AUSTRIA
The Austrian team channelled the traditional dirndl for their costume.

CANADA
The Canadian national team entertained us with these theatrical, Harlequin leotards.

MEXICO
It was hard to miss the Mexican duo in their wild neon outfits, which came adorned with diamanté-embellished tiger motifs.