14-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and Speedo Share Common Goal to Grow the Sport of Swimming

SPEEDO today announced the extension of its long-time partnership with swimming superstar Michael Phelps through to 2013. Following his historic 8 Olympic Gold Medal haul in Beijing, Phelps career-spanning commitment to the Speedo brand and a shared passion to help grow the sport of swimming globally now continues through the 2012 London Olympic Games and beyond.

A Team Speedo star since 2001, Phelps relationship with Speedo goes beyond a traditional endorsement contract. Phelps used the 1 million bonus he earned from Speedo for his record medal haul in Beijing to start the Michael Phelps Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to growing the sport of swimming. As part of Phelps new Speedo deal, the brand will donate 10,000 to the Michael Phelps Foundation for every World Record Phelps sets; Phelps has committed to match each donation as well.

Speedos support both in and out of the pool has helped me grow into the swimmer I am today, said Phelps. I am grateful for the brands commitment to help realise our shared vision to grow the sport of swimming globally.

Michael has transformed the sport of swimming, with more fan interest and participation than ever before, said David Robinson, President of Speedo. Speedo is committed to building on the momentum with direct support for the Michael Phelps Foundation. He added Michael continues to inspire the whole world of swimming and is a fabulous ambassador for the Speedo brand across the 175 countries that we operate within. He continues to inspire young and old alike to embrace the sport of swimming.

Phelps will also continue to serve as part of an athlete advisory group to the Speedo Aqualab, the research and development centre that continually pioneers new technologies and innovations in swimwear and accessories. In 2008 it introduced the Speedo LZR Racer, which Phelps wore for every gold-medal-winning swim in Beijing and at the 2009 13th FINA World Championships in Rome. In the coming months, Speedo will announce an updated and comprehensive range of elite swimwear that conforms to newly released FINA rules.

I am proud to be part of the Speedo Aqualab global team, Phelps added. Speedo and its Aqualab team are leaders in innovation. I have worn Speedo throughout my career and look forward to racing in new technology in 2010 and onwards to the 2012 London Olympics.

As the worlds greatest Olympian, Michael continually challenges Speedo to drive innovation throughout our product range, said Jason Rance, Vice President of Marketing for Speedo. We are committed to helping swimmers achieve their personal best and this will be evidenced once again with the launch of a new generation of Speedo elite swimwear later this year .

Phelps made history by winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games " the most for any athlete at a single Games. During the nine-day competition in Beijing, Phelps set seven World Records, eight American Records and eight Olympic Records to become the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 14 gold medals. As he looks ahead to the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps continues his assault on the history books. At the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome this summer, Phelps accomplished another personal and historic goal, setting a new World Record of 49.82 in the 100m butterfly to become the first man to break the 50-second barrier.

The Baltimore native continues to train at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under long-time Speedo coach Bob Bowman.

Team Speedo swimmers include Olympic Gold Medalists Natalie Coughlin USA, Ryan Lochte USA, Katie Hoff USA, Libby Trickett AUS, Eamon Sullivan AUS, Park Tae Hwan KOR and Rebecca Adlington GBR.

ABOUT SPEEDO

About Speedo
The world&39;s leading swimwear brand, Speedo is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, in the 1920s Speedo made history with the Racerback: the world&39;s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo redefined swimwear again with Fastskin LZR RACER - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created. Speedo is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com . SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM, SPEEDOSCULPTURE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.