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As the 2024 Summer Olympics arrive, one �������ϲʿ������ alumnus will be keeping his eye on women’s gymnastics. Johnathan Vanko-Tomaszewski ’13 has been hard at work behind the scenes helping provision Team USA gymnasts with their stunning new leotards.

Vanko-Tomaszewski, known to friends as J.R., is the senior marketing and e-commerce manager for Elite Sportswear, which operates three divisions—Dolfin Swimwear, Omni Cheer, and GK Elite. Between them, Elite Sportswear creates swimwear, cheerleading apparel, and gymnastics uniforms.

Vanko-Tomaszewski played a key role as the GK Elite leotards to be worn by Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and the rest of Team USA in Paris were recently unveiled on NBC’s TODAY Show. It drew major media coverage, including a story in the New York Times that said: "GK Elite on Wednesday unveiled the eight Olympic leotards for the women’s team — loaded with Swarovski crystals in a patriotic color palette. The wardrobe, which drew inspiration from American iconography, French art and even old Hollywood, is ultimately about more than aesthetics. Gymnasts have long used leotards to add an extra layer of personality and to gain a confidence boost while on the competition floor. And each of the leotards they’ll pack for Paris has its own story."

Despite a lot of moving parts, the campaign launch was a resounding success.

“We seamlessly launched all these updates as the leotards were revealed live on the TODAY Show,” Vanko-Tomaszewski said. “I am happy to report that the collection launch was flawless, with no significant challenges, thanks to our meticulous planning and preparation.”

The Summer Olympics are set to officially open July 26 in Paris, running through Aug. 11. Look for women’s gymnastics to take center stage from July 28 to Aug. 5. Vanko-Tomaszewski, a diver on Lawrence's swimming and diving team who studied studio art and theatre arts during his undergrad days, will be watching closely.

He said Lawrence gave him the opportunity to challenge himself creatively and push his limits. Between working with the Rabbit Gallery in downtown Appleton and creating his own pop-up art gallery on campus, he said he learned valuable skills about preparation, planning, and strategy for large projects. He thanked his former advisor, Rob Neilson, Frederick R. Layton Professor of Studio Art and professor of art, for encouraging him to push his boundaries.

“What I loved most about Lawrence was that anything was possible,” Vanko-Tomaszewski said. “At Lawrence, you weren't identified by your interests or area of study; you were seen as a person with the potential to make a lasting impact on the world. I attribute my determination and dedication to delivering at the highest level of execution to my experiences at Lawrence.”

GK Elite has had a longstanding partnership with USA Gymnastics. While in previous Olympics other brand names have adorned the leotards, GK has always been the manufacturer who has created those leotards. GK was the official national team apparel provider for the Tokyo Olympics and is honored again to be the logo on the apparel that the team will wear in Paris.

Vanko-Tomaszewski said a marketing position with Elite Sportswear was a natural choice for him. He has been involved in gymnastics and cheerleading for 17 years, including being a coach and owning his own cheer gym.

“Given my extensive background in gymnastics, cheerleading, and diving, joining Elite Sportswear felt like the perfect fit,” he said. “My deep understanding of these sports and my passion for sportswear and marketing make this role a seamless match for my skills and interests.”

Vanko-Tomaszewski manages marketing initiatives for all three of the company’s divisions, and it’s his responsibility to maintain their websites and digital presence. He also manages their advertising strategies.

“By working cross-functionally with our Brand Marketing Department, Product Line Team, and Product Development Teams, we ensure cohesive branding and optimal product positioning to drive sales and enhance our online presence,” he said.

Rolling out this collection was a huge project for everyone involved, spanning two years. Vanko-Tomaszewski’s team was more heavily involved in the past year, working to redesign certain website pages, create new video and image assets for advertising, and prepare for a surge in site traffic.