Le Coq Sportif is a French brand of sports apparel, footwear and accessories, founded in 1882. The company's name derives from the Gallic rooster, a national symbol of France. The brand is now owned by the Japanese conglomerate, Itochu. Le Coq Sportif was founded in 1882 by Émile Camuset in Romilly-sur-Seine, a small town in the eastern French region of Champagne. Camuset was a tailor by trade, and originally produced clothing for local workers and peasants. In 1900, Camuset created the first ever jersey for the Tour de France, which quickly became popular with both amateur and professional cyclists. The company expanded rapidly in the early 20th century, sponsoring a number of high-profile athletes and teams, including the French national football and rugby teams. In 1936, Le Coq Sportif became an official supplier to the Olympic Games. During the Second World War, production at Le Coq Sportif factories was halted as the company was requisitioned by the Nazi regime to produce military clothing. After the war, Le Coq Sportif resumed production of sportswear and began to expand internationally, opening its first overseas subsidiary in Switzerland in 1954. The company continued to grow in the second half of the 20th century, and by the 1990s was present in over 60 countries. In 2001, Le Coq Sportif was acquired by Itochu, a Japanese conglomerate. Today, Le Coq Sportif produces a wide range of sports and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and children. The brand is particularly well-known for its retro-inspired sneakers and tennis shoes. While still popular in France, Le Coq Sportif now has a global following, with fans in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.