Arena Signs Two Huge European Sponsorships

While Arena USA has sought to expand its American footprint by landing maybe the biggest of all fish, the United State National Team, to an apparel arrangement, their international counterparts have similarly put their foot on the collective throats of their European counterparts.

The brand, already huge internationally, has recently signed sponsorship agreements with both Lithuanian gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte and the Olympic Nice club, according to SwimNews.com.

Meilutyte, who is still just 15-years old until March, stunned the world when she drove from relative anonymity this summer to topping American Rebecca Soni in the 100 breaststroke at the Olympics. This would slash any hopes that Meilutyte might come to the United States and perhaps swim collegiately in the future.

This could be a notable signing for Arena for two reasons. First, it gives them another football in a growing swimming community in Lithuania; secondly, Meilutyte, who has lived and trained in Plymouth in the UK for a few years, is very popular in her adopted home as well. The Brits have accepted her like a native daughter, so this should give Arena further exposure in Britain as well.

The second signing for Arena is the Olympic Nice club in France. The club is best recognized for its superstars Camille Muffat and Yannick Agnel, who in 2012 stormed the world for Olympic golds and World Records, each under the tutelage of Fabrice Pellerin. The club, centered around aquatics, not only has a big swimming program, but one of the most successful water polo clubs in France as well. The club in total is a commercial force in its own right: boasting over 2,000 adult and youth members.