Let's face it, there's a lot of mediocre Olympics merchandise out there.

From pricey coasters, to polos that will quickly date, or toy versions of the Rio Olympics mascot we forgot the name of; it's likely that these bits of merchandise will end up residing in people's drawers sometime down the track.

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But there are always exceptions, and the Olympics can prove to be a great inspiration for designers and artists looking to prove that big name sporting events don't have to produce plenty of tack.

A vintage U.S. swimming jacket

Credit: etsy/illgottengains

You (and likely the rest of the world) are unlikely to reach the heights of Olympic swimming, but you can at least pretend to with a U.S. swimming jacket by sportswear brand Starter, dated from the early '90s. You'll be pretty hard pressed to find many of these around -- this one sells for US$113 on Etsy.

David Hockney's (pricey) 1972 Munich Olympics poster

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The 1972 Munich Olympics are often seen as a dark chapter of the games (11 Israeli athletes and coaches were held hostage and killed), which might be why British artist David Hockney's beautifully minimalist poster for the games doesn't find the spotlight.

A continuation of Hockney's fascination with the swimming pool, it's a celebration of perfection as a diver elegantly makes his way into the water. It's an expensive poster though: One of these prints can cost you a few hundred dollars.

A not-so-pricey Lake Placid 1932 Olympics poster

While we may dream of a Hockney at home, it's more likely we can scrounge a few bucks for this reproduction of a poster for the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, advertising the bobsled run.

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The poster is a design by the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project, a program that employed thousands of U.S. artists and designers following the Great Depression.

Misha the bear pins from the 1980 Moscow Olympics

Credit: etsy/oldussrvintage

Olympic mascots are largely forgettable, but Misha the bear from the 1980 Moscow Olympics is one that is still much loved by Russians to this day.

The simple, smiling cartoon bear elicits plenty of nostalgia, little wonder why the mascot at 2014's Sochi Winter Olympics just so happens to be another bear -- albeit of the polar variety. You pick up a set of pins on Etsy for around US$17.

Nike's 1996 Atlanta Olympics footwear

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The colour teal will always be associated with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, which is why Nike have made it such a big part of its Nike Air Trainer SC High "Atlanta Olympics" shoes. Check out that peach on the shoe's tongue.

The colourway was released in July to help celebrate 20 years since the event, where Muhammad Ali lit the cauldron and gymnast Kerri Strug fought off an ankle injury to win gold for the U.S. team.

The H&M-designed Swedish Olympic team uniform for Rio 2016

Credit: h&M

Swedish people look stylish in most circumstances, but they look particularly great in their H&M-designed Olympic uniforms emblazoned with the country's colours.

Even though it's manufactured by the fast-fashion retailer, it looks like you won't be able to get your hands on it -- we were looking forward to sporting the fact that Sweden has won 696 medals.

Olympics-inspired clothing from Isolda

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When in Rio, you might as well put on something with local flavour. Brazillian-inspired label Isolda have been swept up in Olympic fever, putting out clothes that ever so subtly evoke the movement's spirit.

Cuba's Christian Louboutin-designed closing ceremony uniform

Credit: Christian louboutin

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This Christian Louboutin uniform for Cuba in Rio 2016 is pretty stunning. The French footwear designer collaborated with Henry Tai of online store Sporty Henri to create these outfits, with an unmistakable '50s look.

Why the Cuban team? Well, it was simply "a dream come true," Tai said in a video promoting the collection. There are a lot of terrible Olympics uniforms to fix out there, you guys.

TopicsOlympics