Following the close of the Paris 2024 swimming events, global swim brand Speedo, reflects on 9 days of swimming which saw over half (50.3%) of Olympic swimming medals won in Speedo. Topping the ‘unofficial’ brand podium, Speedo Fastskin 2.0 was worn in the competition’s most exciting performances which included a Speedo medal count of 75 (29 gold, 23 silver, 23 bronze) and Olympic Record performances from multiple Speedo athletes including one World Record from China’s Pan Zhanle in the 100M freestyle.
Sported by no fewer than 170 athletes across the competition, the majority of swimmers competed in Speedo’s latest Fastskin 2.0. The suit was also provided to the brand’s sponsored swim federations including Australia, Canada, Germany and China as well as many swimmers independently choosing to wear Speedo, such as French sensation, Leon Marchand. Through the National Olympic Committee Uniform Support Programme, Speedo also provided suits and equipment to swimmers from over 30 countries with limited access to swimwear and equipment to ensure they could access the kit they needed to perform on a level playing field.
Speedo Fastskin proved once again to be the world’s fastest swimsuit and is the result of four years of innovation. The innovative coating, produced in collaboration with Lamoral ® space tech delivers unparalleled water repellency to produce a suit that is lighter and provides a feeling of weightlessness in the water.
Speedo SVP Simon Breckon commented, “A commitment to progress and innovation is at the heart of the Speedo brand, and we are immensely proud to see over half of Olympic medals won in Speedo suits as well as 16 Olympic Records including a World Record. Our partnerships with our athletes and our Federation partners are essential for the growth of the sport, and we hope the performances we’ve seen this year help to inspire the next generation of swimmers to embrace the water and swim more”
“With 90 years of relentless innovation and focus, Speedo’s enduring legacy ensures that every swimmer, whether an elite athlete competing on the world stage or recreationally at their local pool can achieve their potential. The brand’s current campaign, Go Full Speedo embodies this ethos encouraging more people to dive head first into life’s experiences, embrace the water and swim more”.
AUS during the Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Final (courtesy of Speedo)
Over 4 years of research and innovation brand worked with world-class Speedo athletes during the research, development and testing of the Speedo Fastskin LZR 2.0 including, Adam Peaty (GBR), Tom Dean (GBR), Matt Richards (GBR), Duncan Scott (GBR), Tatjana Smith (SA), Benedetta Pilato (ITA), Caeleb Dressel (USA), Ryan Murphy (USA), Regan Smith (USA), Abbey Weitzeil (USA), Emma McKeon (AUS), Kaylee McKeown (AUS), Ariarne Titmus (AUS), Zac Stubblety-Cook (AUS), Elijah Winnington (AUS), Kylie Masse (CAN), & Maggie Mac Neil (CAN).
Inspired by the varying skin texture of a shark, the original Fastskin suit incorporated compression and ridges in key areas as Speedo developed a fabric which mimicked nature and helped swimmers glide through the water. In Sydney later that year, 83% of swimmers who won a medal were wearing the suit. Speedo’s pioneering Fastskin LZR Intent 2.0 and LZR Valor 2.0 swimsuits have been developed by Speedo’s Aqualab research and development facility, in collaboration with Lamoral®️ Space Tech. The new material delivers increased water repellence to improve performance in the water. Lamoral’s original coatings were developed for use in space and Speedo have worked closely with Lamoral’s world-leading team of experts to create a bespoke coating that provides ultimate performance on swimsuits.
Olympic 2024 Records Broken In Speedo®:
- Leon Marchand (FRA): 400IM
- Pan Zhanle (CHN): 100FR (OR +WR)
- Molly O Callaghan (AUS): 200FR
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS): 100BACK (and Speedo Athlete Regan Smith broke the record again on the 4×100 medley leadoff)
- Leon Marchand (FRA) 200BR
- Leon Marchand (FRA) 200FLY
- Australia Women’s 4x200FR RELAY
- Summer McIntosh (CAN) 200FLY
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 200BACK
- Leon Marchand (FRA) 200IM
- Summer McIntosh (CAN) 200IM
About Speedo®:
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations, and supports swimming from grass-roots through to the elite level. In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefined swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER® – the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created. 2011 saw Speedo unveil another world first with the Fastskin Racing System – a cap, goggle and suit designed to work together as one. 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
Tatjana Smith (RSA) during the Women’s 200m Breaststroke – Semi-Finals (courtesy of Speedo)
Speedo has been a SwimSwam partner since 2012.