Swimming Australia has partnered with Speedo for more than 60 years, dating back to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, but that partnership will be coming to an end, effective Dec. 31. The two organizations announced the split in a press release Tuesday.
“The partnership with Speedo has been one of this country’s most successful. Some of the Australian Swim Teams’ most iconic moments have been in Speedo. We are forever thankful for Speedo’s commitment to the sport and to our organisation. The Rio Dolphins team were extremely proud to wear the Speedo green and gold suit and gold cap. We part ways respectfully and thank them immensely for their support of the Dolphins,” Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said.
A press release announcing the split noted that Dawn Fraser, Murray Rose and Jon Henricks wore Speedo gear back in 1956 and how Eamon Sullivan, Libby Trickett, Leisel Jones, Stephanie Rice, Mack Horton, Cameron McEvoy and Emma and David McKeon have been among more recent top Australians to have Speedo sponsorships.
Speedo will remain a sponsor of the Australian Olympic Committee through 2028.
“It has been a privilege to have been a partner of Swimming Australia for many, many years. We would like to thank Swimming Australia and we wish them continued success. Whilst the direct sponsorship has finished, we will still be supporting the swim team through the next three Olympics and we will also continue to be inspiring people to swim by promoting participation in swimming for everyone,” Speedo Australia Brand Manager Graham Eyres said.
Recently, many Aussie swimmers have begun regularly competing in other brands. That list includes Cate and Bronte Campbell, Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm, all of whom have deals with Arena.
Speedo International Ltd. is an Australian manufacturer and distributor of swimwear and swim-related accessories based in Nottingham, England. Founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1914, the industry-leading company is now a subsidiary of the British Pentland Group. Today, the Speedo brand can be found on products ranging from swimsuits and goggles to wrist watches. The Speedo brand is manufactured for and marketed in North America as Speedo USA by PVH under an exclusive perpetual licence, who acquired prior licencee Warnaco Group in 2013.
A report from The Australian’s Nicole Jeffery indicates that Swimming Australia already has signed with a new swimwear sponsor, but the identity of that company has not yet been announced. That new deal will be announced sometime in early 2017.
